Do you remember the last time you swapped out your toothbrush for a new one? Why is it we throw out expired food, restock medicine when it expires, and buy new makeup often, but when it comes to our dental health, we slack? It’s our dental hygiene that doesn’t get as much interest and we need to change that. Here are some dental tips for you and your toothbrush!
When should you change your toothbrush?
Most dentists, along with the Canadian Dental Association, recommend that you swap out your toothbrush after 3 months of use. This is because the bristles on a toothbrush go through so much wear and tear that eventually they just aren't as effective when it comes to removing plaque from your teeth and gums. Also, the last thing you want is mold showing up! Another time to consider changing out your toothbrush is after you've been sick. You don't want to risk a possible reinfection due to germs hiding in the bristles!
What can happen if you don't change your toothbrush often?
If understanding that mold can accumulate on your toothbrush doesn't scare you, there are a few other things that can happen if you don't buy a new toothbrush often. A couple things that can happen are damaged gums and gingivitis. If you leave gingivitis untreated, it can lead to infection, which can cause your teeth to fall out! You can also get sick if your toothbrush starts to grow mold and nobody wants that. Trust us, you will want to follow these dental tips.
How to keep your toothbrush clean
If you want to ensure your toothbrush stays clean for the 3 months you use it, heres a couple more tips! I know a lot of families keep their toothbrushes in the same container but we highly recommend you don't do that. You don't want to be swapping germs back and forth if the heads touch. Make sure you always rinse off your toothbrush after every use (with water, not soap or mouthwash), and don't store it in a container because that's a prime spot for mold and bacteria to grow. And most importantly, no matter how close you are with someone, even your partner, don't ever share your toothbrush!
Dental tips for the next time you need to buy a toothbrush
Ask us at your next checkup and cleaning, which dental products would be best suited for you! While it is fine to buy generic products, it's always good to know which would be best for your individual and particular oral needs. In general, we always suggest going with a soft bristle toothbrush or an electric one. Soft bristles don't damage your teeth the way hard bristles can and an electric toothbrush has been proven to improve oral health all around.
Hopefully this helps you understand why it's so important to change out your toothbrush! Feel free to reach out to us if you have any further questions or need any more dental tips.