Buy a new toothbrush. Right now. Your current one probably contains faeces, herpes or even the virus responsible for hepatitis.

买一把新牙刷，现在就去。因为你现在正在用的牙刷很可能已经沾上了粪便、疱疹因子甚至会引发肝炎的病毒。

Within just two days, toothbrushes can become heavily infected with disease-causing bacteria, viruses and fungi¹. And it doesn't matter whether you keep it in your bathroom or under 24-hour surveillance - it's contaminated, a leading expert has warned.

一位顶尖专家警告称，不管牙刷有没有放在厕所或者被24小时监控，干净的牙刷在两天内就会沾染上许多致病细菌、病毒和真菌。

Dr Rhona Eskander, a dentist based in Kensington and Chelsea, says there are numerous dangers to your health by not keeping it clean. And sharing brushes or letting them touch other ones is just as bad for you

罗娜·伊斯康德医生是肯辛顿-切尔西区的一名牙医，她表示，牙刷不干净会对健康造成极大的伤害。与别人共用牙刷或者自己的牙刷与别人的牙刷有过接触都会有害健康。

She told MailOnline: 'The mouth harbours literally² hundreds of different types of microorganisms, some of which can be transferred to a toothbrush during use 'Microorganisms in the bathroom or household environment may also collect on a stored toothbrush – especially after the toilet has been flushed.'

她在接受《每日邮报》采访时表示：“口腔内寄生着许多微生物，刷牙的同时这些微生物细菌会沾到牙刷上。卫生间或者家里的微生物也会寄存到牙刷上--特别是用完卫生间以后冲水沾染的细菌更多。”

'When toothbrushes are stored in close together and touching in a tooth mug, the germs can pass from one to another, leading to the risk of cross contamination. Rinsing³ a toothbrush under running water from the tap does not remove all these germs.

“如果大家的牙刷都放到一个漱口杯里并且有所接触的话，细菌就会在牙刷之间相互传播，导致交叉感染。用清水冲洗牙刷也不能把所有细菌都解决掉。”

'If you borrow a toothbrush which has been used by someone else the viruses which cause conditions such as herpes and hepatitis A, B and C can be transferred to you, as studies have shown that they can survive for months on a toothbrush.'

“如果你用了别人的牙刷，就有可能沾染上引起疱疹和甲型、乙型和丙型肝炎等的病毒，有研究表明，如果不清理，这些细菌能在牙刷上存活数月。”

Buy a new toothbrush. Right now. Your current one probably contains faeces, herpes or even the virus responsible for hepatitis.

买一把新牙刷，现在就去。因为你现在正在用的牙刷很可能已经沾上了粪便、疱疹因子甚至会引发肝炎的病毒。

Within just two days, toothbrushes can become heavily infected with disease-causing bacteria, viruses and fungi. And it doesn't matter whether you keep it in your bathroom or under 24-hour surveillance - it's contaminated, a leading expert has warned.

一位顶尖专家警告称，不管牙刷有没有放在厕所或者被24小时监控，干净的牙刷在两天内就会沾染上许多致病细菌、病毒和真菌。

Dr Rhona Eskander, a dentist based in Kensington and Chelsea, says there are numerous dangers to your health by not keeping it clean. And sharing brushes or letting them touch other ones is just as bad for you

罗娜·伊斯康德医生是肯辛顿-切尔西区的一名牙医，她表示，牙刷不干净会对健康造成极大的伤害。与别人共用牙刷或者自己的牙刷与别人的牙刷有过接触都会有害健康。

She told MailOnline: 'The mouth harbours literally hundreds of different types of microorganisms, some of which can be transferred to a toothbrush during use 'Microorganisms in the bathroom or household environment may also collect on a stored toothbrush – especially after the toilet has been flushed.'

她在接受《每日邮报》采访时表示：“口腔内寄生着许多微生物，刷牙的同时这些微生物细菌会沾到牙刷上。卫生间或者家里的微生物也会寄存到牙刷上--特别是用完卫生间以后冲水沾染的细菌更多。”

'When toothbrushes are stored in close together and touching in a tooth mug, the germs can pass from one to another, leading to the risk of cross contamination. Rinsing a toothbrush under running water from the tap does not remove all these germs.

“如果大家的牙刷都放到一个漱口杯里并且有所接触的话，细菌就会在牙刷之间相互传播，导致交叉感染。用清水冲洗牙刷也不能把所有细菌都解决掉。”

'If you borrow a toothbrush which has been used by someone else the viruses which cause conditions such as herpes and hepatitis A, B and C can be transferred to you, as studies have shown that they can survive for months on a toothbrush.'

“如果你用了别人的牙刷，就有可能沾染上引起疱疹和甲型、乙型和丙型肝炎等的病毒，有研究表明，如果不清理，这些细菌能在牙刷上存活数月。”

在用牙刷前一定要三思! 因为上边可能全是细菌!

The dentist Dr Mervyn Druian - recommends the following:

以下是梅尔文·杜兰医生的几条建议:

1.Don't flush where you brush

1.不要在刷牙的地方冲马桶

If you must store your toothbrush near your toilet make sure you close the lid when you flush to minimise the dispersal of contaminated water droplets⁴, and encourage your family to do the same.

如果你的牙刷放得离厕所比较近，就要最大限度确保冲马桶时有细菌的水花不会溅出来，同时也要提醒自己的家人注意。

2.Store it upright and alone

2.牙刷要朝上并且单独放

Store your toothbrush in an upright position – never in a bathroom cabinet where air cannot circulate as this could promote bacterial⁵ growth. Try and avoid putting more than one brush in a tooth mug to avoid cross contamination.

牙刷要朝上直立放置，千万不要放在浴室用品箱那种空气不流通的地方，容易滋生细菌。尽量避免和其他牙刷放在一起，防止交叉感染

3.Replace your toothbrush regularly

3.定期更换牙刷

Make sure you replace your toothbrush and Steripod every 3 months – buy them at the same time. And if you've been suffering with a cold or flu it's a good idea to replace your toothbrush.

一次买几支牙刷，确保每三个月换一次。如果遇上感冒或者流感，换牙刷也是有必要的。

4.Don't share it

4.不要共用牙刷

This should go without saying, but never be tempted⁶ to share a toothbrush, even with your loved ones.

这个不用说也知道，但千万不要尝试，即使是爱人也不行。