f someone asks what the dirtiest part of the body is, most people would answer “the anus”. However, the anus is not even in the top 5 dirtiest body parts. According to scientists from the Harvard University, there are more than 615 types of bacteria in your oral cavity, making your mouth the dirtiest part of your body. Here’s a list of the 9 dirtiest body parts that you never thought were dirty:

1. Mouth

Our mouth is home to numerous types of bacteria that can harm your health. This is why it’s important to clean it often and well.

1. Armpits

The armpits contain dangerous bacteria which cause our sweat to smell unpleasant. Deodorants and perfumes can cover the smell, but they won’t destroy the bacteria, which is why you need to wash the area well with a powerful antimicrobial soap.

1. Ears

The wax in your ears lubricates and protects the ear canal from bacteria, insects and water, making the ears one of the dirtiest body parts. Leaving them uncleaned can result in fungal infections, although the self-cleaning mechanism of the ears keeps the outer layer clean.

1. Tongue

Both the mouth and tongue contain numerous harmful types of bacteria, and the tongue can even change color due to the presence of bacteria. When you’re cleaning your mouth, it’s best to clean the tongue as well in order to prevent oral problems.

1. Finger nails

The skin under the nails is very dirty, and the bacteria found under them can even be fatal in some cases! Clean your hands and nails well before preparing or eating food as it can be the reason between life and death.

1. Head

If your head itches, but it’s not because of dandruff, you might be dealing with some type of bacterial infection. Wash your hair regularly to avoid bacteria from damaging your scalp.

1. Belly button

It may be clean on the surface, but the belly button is often home to dangerous bacteria. Many people don’t pay attention to their navel, but not cleaning it well during a shower can result in infections and even tumors, so make sure you clean it thoroughly.

1. Bottoms

The anus contains many harmful bacteria which could turn out to be deadly if you don’t clean it well.

1. Nasal cavity

You might not notice dirt in your nose, but we inhale hundreds of dangerous bacteria through our nose every day. Clean it well, but not by picking it with your fingers – use a nasal irrigation system instead.