You already know how important I am to your oral health. That’s why you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day.
However, are you aware of how much bacteria lives on your toothbrush? Researchers have found that a single toothbrush can have as many as 10 million germs and bacteria! But, don’t let this statistic scare you away from brushing. These bacteria aren’t a huge threat to your teeth according to Everydayhealth.com, because its been researched that these germs don’t make people sick. That’s because toothpaste is made with an anti-germ component.
So what is your toothbrush trying to tell you to help prevent all these germs?
Keep me clean and dry!
It’s important that you use your toothbrush correctly. Always make sure to rinse it in tap water and give it time to air dry. Germs need moisture to survive, so as long as you give your brush enough time to dry before using it, you should be fine. Make sure not to leave any toothpaste or debris in the head of your brush, rinse it well!
Store me upright!
When you’re at home, store your toothbrush upright in a cup or toothbrush holder. This allows it to air dry, which will help kill those germs. On the road? When traveling make sure to keep your toothbrush in a travel holder, that way it isn’t rolling around uncovered and collecting bacteria in your bag.
If you really want to be in the clear you can soak your toothbrush in a toothbrush sanitizer or in mouthwash. Another alternative is to place your toothbrush in boiling water for 5-10 seconds. Don’t ever put your toothbrush in the dishwasher or microwave, these appliances will damage your toothbrush!
Don’t brush where you flush!
Try to store your toothbrush as far away as possible from the toilet. This is because each toilet flush sends a spray of bacteria into the air and I’m sure you don’t want that near your open toothbrush! We recommend at least 3 feet!
I only want one owner!
Don’t share! Forget what your kindergarten teacher told you about sharing. When it comes to toothbrushes, it’s an absolute no! No matter how close you may be to that person, whether it’s your sibling or spouse, don’t ever use their toothbrush.
It’s time for us to say Goodbye!
The American Dental Association recommends getting a new toothbrush about every three months. This also depends on the wear of the bristles. Some people brush with a heavy hand and therefore their bristles may wear out sooner. It’s important to judge when it’s time for a replacement based upon the bristles, so don’t mark it in your calendar, just keep a look at your bristles. Be sure to check your kids’ brushes regularly because they will probably need to be replaced more often.
Let me remind you!
Some toothbrush brands feature color-changing bristles that remind you when it’s time to get a new brush. You could also make a reminder to replace your toothbrush the first day of every season. That way you’re replacing it four times a year, with an average of 3 months per brush.
Posted by mfreiss on Oct 7, 2015 7:59 am Filed under Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
