Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you—so you should take measures to ensure that your pearly whites look as healthy and bright as possible! Brushing your teeth twice a day is one way to go about this; but in order to do this, you need a clean and functional toothbrush! Here are some tips from your dentist to help you keep your toothbrush clean and sanitary, so that it’s able to return the favor to your teeth.
Tip #1: Use Hot Water & Let It Dry
You don’t need any fancy mouthwashes or denture cleaners to clean your toothbrush (even though they can work); good, old-fashioned hot water will do the trick! The reason you use hot water is that you have a natural flora of bacteria living inside of your mouth that’s necessary for a healthy environment. So, you don’t want to completely remove these bacteria from your toothbrush—you still want to leave enough to ensure that problems don’t develop! You should also let your toothbrush dry completely after rinsing it off. If you have an electric brush, be sure to follow the instructions for removing the brush head before proceeding to clean it.
Tip #2: Never Share Your Toothbrush
Even though your mouth naturally contains bacteria, you don’t want to introduce bacteria from someone else’s mouth; and sharing toothbrushes will likely lead to this. That said, you should never share a toothbrush with anyone, especially with your children—this is a great way to get sick and potentially spawn oral health issues inside your mouth.
Tip #3: Store Your Toothbrush Properly
On a related note, you should also take measures to properly store your toothbrush. Never leave your brush right next to another brush in the same holder, and make sure they’re well over a few inches apart. You should also keep your brush in a clean and sanitary holder; bacteria can easily make their way to your brush if your bathroom counter is dirty! You also shouldn’t regularly cover your brush when storing it, for the risk of unwanted bacteria.
Tip #4: Don’t Hesitate to Replace It
Simply put, you should replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months, but there are other circumstances that might warrant replacing it even sooner. If the bristles have become worn or frayed, they won’t be able to effectively clean your teeth—and they might also cause enamel abrasion. If you or someone in your household has recently been sick, you should also replace all of the toothbrushes in your house. If you ever doubt the cleaning ability or cleanliness of your toothbrush, don’t hesitate to replace it—they’re quite easy to substitute!
Your toothbrush is arguably the most important personal tool at your disposal for maintaining good oral health—but it won’t do you any good if it’s unsanitary or unfunctional. That said, following these tips will ensure that your brush is always up to the task and able to keep your mouth sparkling clean.
About the Practice
The team at Smile Fitness Dental Center is honored to serve the dental needs of Phoenix and the surrounding area. The practice is fortunate to house four skilled specialists: Dr. Douglas Gordon, Dr. Bernard Florento, Dr. Melina Ghods, and Dr. Joseph Santoro. They combine several years of knowledge and experience to offer a wide range of services including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative options. To schedule an appointment, please reach out online or over the phone: (623) 849-0477.