Dental News

Taking Care of Your Teeth Involves Taking Care of Your Toothbrush

August 3, 2017

Taking Care of Your Teeth Involves Taking Care of Your Toothbrush

Just about every household in California has a toothbrush, yet many people aren’t aware of what they should do to take care of it. If you think that your toothbrush is fine without thinking much about it, ask yourself this: If you had a piece of cake that was sitting out uncovered on your bathroom counter for 12 hours, while people went in and out using the bathroom, would you feel comfortable eating it?

Most people would say no, yet they leave their toothbrush sitting out in the open air all the time. While those of us at California Dental Group don’t want our patients to go overboard, we do want you to know about some of the dangers of not taking care of your toothbrush – plus simple tips to help you do so. Read on to learn more and then call us at (800) 407-0161 to make an appointment for a dental cleaning and exam.

There are more bacteria in your toothbrush than you think

Studies have shown that there are literally millions of bacteria in the average toothbrush. Does this mean you should throw your brush out every time you use it? Or that you must disinfect after each use? It doesn’t.

The reality is that most of the bacteria on your toothbrush actually comes from your mouth. If you have a healthy immune system, then they aren’t a real threat to you. That said, if you do have a compromised immune system, then talk to your dentist at California Dental Group about steps you can take to reduce your chances of gum disease.

Store your toothbrush away from the toilet

One of the simplest things you can do to reduce bad bacteria from getting into your toothbrush is to make sure that it’s as far from the toilet as you can get it. Closing the toilet lid is a great way to help prevent germs from moving freely around your bathroom as well. It’s best to actually close the lid before you flush. Otherwise, every time you flush, a spray of bacteria is being released into the air. Avoiding this is as simple as closing the lid before you flush.

Store your toothbrush upright but don’t cover it

One of the things that many people assume will help is to cover their toothpaste. After all, that will prevent any type of germs from getting into it, right? This is actually the opposite of what you want to do. Why? Because the most important thing is to make sure that your toothbrush dries out. That’s why we recommend storing it upright without a travel case.

If you do store it covered, or lying down, then it’s not going to dry. A moist, warm environment is the perfect environment for bacteria to grow in.

At California Dental Group, we recommend that you follow the American Dental Association’s advice to replace your tooth brush every three months. Doing that and following the above tips can help improve your breath, reduce the chances of gum disease, and generally help keep your oral health in good standing. To learn more, or to make an appointment for an exam, call us at (800) 407-0161.

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