When it comes to dental care we often hear how a toothbrush is for caring for our smiles, but what about the importance of caring for your toothbrush? Over time as we use our toothbrush they become worn and frayed, resulting in a less effective clean along with harboring bacteria. At West Hills Smiles we often get asked questions about toothbrush care so we figured we would completely cover the topic for anyone who is curious.
Toothbrush Care
When it comes to caring for your toothbrush, you should make sure that you clean your brush after any time you use it. You can do so by rinsing your brush with water thoroughly; this will get rid of any leftover debris and bacteria that may still be on your toothbrush. They also sell UV Toothbrush Sanitizers if you are looking for something a bit more.
Storing Your Toothbrush
When it comes to storing your toothbrush, you should always make sure it is stored upright and in an area where it can air-dry. Although it may seem like a good idea to store your toothbrush in a cabinet or container, this is actually a bad idea as dark and moist areas can promote the growth of bacteria.
If using a toothbrush holder with others, make sure that all of the toothbrushes are not touching as this can promote cross-contamination.
Replacing Your Toothbrush
As you probably know from using a toothbrush all these years, over time they begin to become worn and frayed. But did you know this can make them less effective? Leaving your mouth only partially clean. Depending on how you brush your teeth and care for your brush they may last longer. However, we recommend replacing your brush at least every 3 months. If you notice that your brush is worn before 3 months, go ahead and replace it. It is also a good idea to replace your toothbrush anytime you get sick as it could harbor bacteria.
When was the last time you replace your toothbrush? If it has been longer than 3 months, you should probably grab one next time you go past the store!