DHAKA: It might seem unlikely but your old toothbrush is a huge bacteria magnet, a new study has revealed.

A toothbrush can contain over 10 million bacteria including E. coli and Staph, according to the University of Manchester study, The Times of India reports on Saturday.

It said that Prosthodontist Dr Ann Wei told grandparents.com that in an unbrushed mouth, there can be as many germs as a dirty bathroom floor.

‘Your toothbrush can be contaminated by the water splashed when we wash our hands, or worse, by bacteria from an open-flushed toilet,’ he added.

Nasties that fall from toilet spray remain airborne long enough to settle on surfaces throughout the bathroom. And if you drop your toothbrush on the floor, the five second rule does not apply.

It picks up airborne bacteria that have settled on the floor and everything else that people traipse through via their feet.

BDST: 2134 HRS, JUNE 21, 2014