I am not germaphobic, but I often think about germs when I place my toothbrush in my mouth, especially when family members are sick.  Our toothbrushes spend most of the time wet, which is the perfecting breeding ground for bacteria.

Also, they live in a part of the house where we go to the bathroom.  Mythbusters proved there is fecal matter on your toothbrush:

Explanation: Every time you flush a toilet, it releases an aerosol spray of tiny tainted water droplets. So if, like many people, you leave your toothbrush in the vicinity of a toilet, does that mean it’s regularly bathed in bits of fecal matter? MythBusters Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage uncovered the dirty truth to this myth by covering a bathroom with 24 toothbrushes, two of which they brushed with each morning — the others they simply rinsed every day for a month.

As experimental controls, the MythBusters kept two untainted toothbrushes in an office far away from the lavatory. At the end of the month-long trial, they sent their toothbrush collection to a microbiologist for bacterial testing.

Astonishingly, all the toothbrushes were speckled with microscopic fecal matter, including the ones that had never seen the inside of a bathroom. The confirmed myth unfortunately proved that there’s indeed fecal matter on toothbrushes — and also everywhere else.

That’s pretty gross, but there are ways you can protect your toothbrush from bacteria.

We were sent The Toothbrush Shield by IntelliDent to try:

Studies show that an exposed toothbrush is subjected to multiple airborne and surface microbes. Your toothbrush is at risk for contamination if stored in a shared holder or cup with other brushes, enclosed in a plastic cap that can breed germs, or stored in close proximity to a toilet that can spread E. coli and other harmful bacteria.

The IntelliDent Toothbrush Shield:

• Is breathable, quick drying shield acts like a surgical mask for your toothbrush.

• Laboratory tested 99.9% effective barrier against airborne and surface bacteria.

• Replaces plastic caps and holders that trap and breed bacteria.

• Eliminates cross contamination of germs between brushes stored in shared cups.

• Ideal for travel, home, work and everywhere in between.

• Disposable. Effective up to 7 days.

I am not sure what the fabric is made from, but I am assured that it does not kill germs but only provides a protective barrier.  I feel this is safer, as it means there are most likely not nanoparticles involved than products that claim to be germ-killing.  Then again, I just read about a nano-paper that can filter viruses, so perhaps there is some nano-technology involved.  Nanoparticles scare me due to their tiny size and ability to enter into our bloodstream.

I do not like disposable products, and I have been living with a bacteria-ridden toothbrush my whole life; however, I think this would be a very handy product to use when traveling. I do worry when I toss my toothbrush into a bag unprotected. This is a much better alternative than the ziplock bag I often use.

This product is made in the USA, and the packaging is recyclable.

Disclosure: The products described above were sent to us as free samples. Prior assurances as to the nature of the reviews, whether positive or negative, were not given. No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the reviews. The reviews reflect our honest, authentic opinions