Your toothbrush is a pretty simple piece of equipment. There are no moving parts, and it never needs a tuneup. Because of that, you may be tempted to toss it in a drawer or the medicine cabinet and forget about it until the next time you need it. The truth is however, that even though your toothbrush is not that complicated, it does need a little TLC to keep it in good shape and to make sure it continues to serve you well.
First, if you can’t remember the last time you bought a new toothbrush, then it is probably time to replace your current one. You should get a new toothbrush every three months. Kids brush a little harder than adults, so they may need to get a new toothbrush a little more often. Even if your toothbrush isn’t three months old, if the bristles are worn or flattened, you need a new one. Your toothbrush can’t clean your teeth well if the bristles are in bad shape. When you purchase a new toothbrush, make sure that the angle, and the size of the head will allow you to reach every part of your mouth.
You need to keep your toothbrush clean. To clean your toothbrush, rinse the bristles until they are free food debris. Do not microwave your toothbrush, or place it in the dishwasher or boiling water. Doing so will damage the bristles.
Once you have rinsed your toothbrush, it needs to dry thoroughly. It nneds to be stored upright in a place where the air can reach it. If you cover your toothbrush, bacteria, and even mold can grow in the bristles. Your toothbrush should be stored away from the other toothbrushes in your household to reduce the risk of transmitting bacteria. Replace a toothbrush after you, or someone in your home has been ill, and you may want to purchase disposable toothbrushes to use when you are sick.
If you have questions about your oral health care, or you need your regular cleaning and exam, our dentist, Dr Jeffrey Lowry will be happy to see you! If you live in the Riverside, California, area, call 951-263-7001, for an appointment at Jeffrey A Lowry DDS.