Where has your toothbrush been?
Whether it be for adult and cosmetic dentistry or not, let’s figure that you visit the dentist twice a year. Each time you visit the dentist, you get to choose a new toothbrush to take home. So many people could assume that the average age of your home’s used toothbrush is six months, right?
Wrong.
Upon arriving at home, an even greater amount of people throw that toothbrush into a bathroom drawer or linen closet and only take it out for usually one of three instances:
- A guest has forgotten his toothbrush, so you furnish him with the unused drawer or closet backup.
- Your bristles are ridiculously used up and soft, letting you know that it is most definitely time to bring out the stiff-bristled new guy.
- You clumsily drop your probably expired toothbrush behind the toilet and deem it finally replaceable.
Did you know you really need to be changing out your toothbrush every three to four months? Well, take a minute to set a reminder so you don’t forget to change them out. Dental hygiene is no joke for anyone including your children. Do not wait until your toothbrush’s bristles have lost rigidity. Weak bristles hinder the plaque-removing function of a toothbrush.
The Gross Reality
Getting down to the nitty-gritty: did you know that if you keep your toothbrush in an open area within roughly twenty feet of your toilet, fecal matter sprays and can live in your bristles each time someone flushes? Disgusting! Just think about how many people are in your family and share a bathroom. The statistics on fecal bacteria and toothbrushes are life changing. Some would go as far as to say that at this point, you are better off cleaning your toilet with your toothbrush. That may be farfetched, but grossed out enough yet? I digress.
When Should I Replace My Toothbrush?
Beyond just the three to four months when you should replace your toothbrush, there are some other occasions when you should swap your old one out.
- After you get sick
- When the bristles get too soft
- After your toothbrush gets dirty
- If toothpaste builds up on your toothbrush
Toothbrush Tips
There are plenty of great tips for preserving the health of your beloved toothbrush between replacements and visits to Snodgrass King Dental Associates.
Toothbrush To-Do’s
- Don’t touch it to your toothpaste
- Thoroughly rinse it off after brushing
- Store it in a dry area to excess bacteria
- Microwave your toothbrush for 10 seconds (preferably weekly)
- Replace it if you or anyone in the house has recently been sick
- Never share toothbrushes!
In addition to attending scheduled dental appointments for you and your children’s oral health, ensure that your children are brushing their budding teeth with clean toothbrushes. Without your assistance, your child may not know the proper way to keep pristine oral health. Make it exciting by allowing them to choose the toothpaste or the color of their toothbrushes. Also, you can avoid the store by buying in bulk and keeping enough toothbrushes in reserve for the whole family.
Have you learned more than you cared to about the dirtiness of those scrubby oral quills and its affects on dental hygiene? Great. Snodgrass King Dental Associates hopes to help you remember just how important it is to more frequently replace that worn toothbrush of yours. Nonetheless, coming in twice a year for cleaning or for cosmetic dentistry is a good excuse to also grab another toothbrush for your stash.
