How to Keep Your Toothbrush Clean and Germ-Free!
Your toothbrush is used multiple times daily to clean debris and bacteria away from your teeth and gums. Did you know there are things you can do to help ensure your toothbrush remains clean and germ-free? Review the following easy tips to help keep your toothbrush clean and extend it’s useful life!
⦁ Rinse thoroughly with hot water after brushing. This will help to remove bacteria. The synthetic bristles are meant to be somewhat antibacterial, but they do require a bit of help in the way of rinsing.
⦁ Allow your toothbrush to stand upright and air dry completely after rinsing. Bacteria removed from the teeth and left on the toothbrush is anaerobic meaning it will die as it is exposed to air.
⦁ Don’t keep your toothbrush in the same glass as other people’s toothbrushes. Allowing your brush head to touch others’ is a recipe for disaster when it comes to germs! Keep your toothbrush well away from other brushes.
⦁ Don’t brush too hard. Brushing hard causes bristles to bend and spread and reduces the useful life of your toothbrush.
⦁ Throw your toothbrush out after 3 months. A toothbrush head only lasts three months. Even the most careful and gentle brusher will start to notice the bristles spreading out. This will make your toothbrush less affective. Please replace your toothbrush regularly!
Hopefully you are already doing some or all of these things to help keep your toothbrush working well! Of course, coming to your dental office for your regular hygiene visits always gets you a fresh new toothbrush! Your hygienist will assess your unique needs and pick a brush best suited to you.