Tips For Caring For Your Toothbrush

If you are serious about your oral health, then you are probably quite diligent about brushing your teeth. If this is true, then you need to make sure that you have the right products to clean the teeth. Of course, the most helpful of all is your toothbrush. Toothbrushes need to be cared for like any other type of tool, even though most people are unfamiliar with how to do this. Keep reading to learn about some tips that can help you with this endeavor:

Store In The Correct Space

Toothbrushes absolutely need to be stored in ventilated areas, so make sure that the tool is exposed to the air between uses. This allows your toothbrush to air dry. If it remains wet, then bacteria will have the opportunity to multiply and thrive on the brush and these microorganisms will be reintroduced to the mouth.

Also, make sure that your toothbrush is kept away from other brushes. If two of them touch, then the bacteria will move freely from one brush to the next. Everyone has a unique oral microbiology with different strains of bacteria that live in the oral cavity. New bacteria are introduced at times, and this can increase the number of organisms that can cause dental decay. It is best to minimize the bacterial strains and keeping your toothbrush isolated is one way to do this.

It goes without saying that you should not share your toothbrush with any other family member.

Thoroughly Rinse

Some people go above and beyond when it comes to cleaning their toothbrushes. Sanitization is common where individuals place their oral care products in a pot of boiling water. This is something that may be advisable when it comes to cleaning your toothbrush after a contracting a cold or flu virus. However, it is unnecessary under normal conditions. Also, the boiling water can make the bristles quite brittle over time. 

If you want to make sure that your toothbrush is clean after each use, you simply need to rinse it with warm water. Since the bristles are non-porous, debris is unlikely to accumulate to the point that a deep cleaning is necessary.

Of course, you do want to inspect your toothbrush for broken bristles even if you clean it gently. Also, make sure to replace your toothbrush about once every three to four months.

If you want to know more about your toothbrush and how to care for it, make sure to speak with a dental office like Clendenon Kirby DDS.