The keystone of good dental hygiene is consistent and effective tooth brushing. Even though the toothbrush plays such a major role in this, most people don’t adhere to basic toothbrush maintenance guidelines. Luckily, we have compiled what we feel are the most important categories to toothbrush care: storing and replacement.
Storing Your Toothbrush
- Where and how you store your toothbrush determines whether it remains clean and ensures that it stays in best condition. By following these easy storage tips, your toothbrush can stay bacteria-free.
Vertical is the Key: To avoid cross-contamination, or the transferring of bacteria and germs from one object to another, we suggest keeping your toothbrush in the upright and vertical position. - Open Air is Best: Bacteria thrive off contained, wet environments so it’s important to store your toothbrush in a place that is dry and in the open air.
- Hide from the Flush: Harmful microorganisms can be shot through the air during toilet flushing and ultimately land on your toothbrush. To prevent this, keep your toothbrush off the countertop and out of reach.
Replacing Your Toothbrush
The ADA suggests that toothbrushes get replaced once at least every 3 – 4 months. This is because over time bristles become worn out and frayed and bacteria can build up. To ensure your toothbrush is effective and clean, throw out the old and begin using a new one within this recommended time frame.
We highly value our patients dental health and want to help you have a healthy, beautiful smile. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment. We are always accepting new patients and would love to help you improve your oral health.
