3 Ways to Care for Your Toothbrush

-

The holiday season starts with Halloween and sugar and candy galore. Then comes Thanksgiving with baked confectioneries and other good foods. This continues through the end of the year and into the New Year. We all love it, but by the end of it, our toothbrushes may be getting a little tired. (Remember to brush AT LEAST twice per day for two minutes and after snacks or meals especially ones containing all those yummy sugars!) Here are a few ways to take care of your toothbrush during it's busiest season:


If your toothbrush looks like this
it may be time to replace it!
  1. Store your toothbrush in the open air. Toothbrushes like to be thoroughly rinsed with water after being in your mouth and they don't like to be encased where they can't dry out after use. They also like their space - stand them upright and don't let them touch other toothbrushes. By storing your toothbrush this way you are minimizing the amount of bacteria on your toothbrush for your next cleaning.
  2. Retirement age of your toothbrush is 3-4 months. Your toothbrush works hard and the longer it works, the more tired it gets. Replace any brush whose bristles aren't straight anymore or any brush that has been used for 4 months maximum. If going out and buying a new toothbrush is hard for you to remember, ask your dentist at your next check-up for one. You should have a professional dental cleaning at least every 6 months.
  3. Don't share - at least not your toothbrush!  Keep your toothbrush to yourself. Don't share it with family members or friends. When you share your toothbrush with others you are spreading germs and bacteria. This is especially true of viruses like the cold and flu. 
Keep these three simple rules in mind for a happy, healthy toothbrush and keep on brushing! 




~Cyrus M. Larson, DMD


For additional information on your toothbrush see these cool videos and articles:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Watch Your Citrus Intake! (how citrus affects oral health)

-
Image
How Citric Acid Affects Oral Health  Citric acid is found in many different things most people probably use or eat or drink daily! Some of these common culprits might surprise you. Cosmetics, gels and liquids, cleaning products, pharmaceuticals, and even dietary supplements commonly contain citric acid. It's even frequently added to various food products to boost flavors or help with preservation.  Citric Acid found naturally in :  Limes Oranges Lemons Pineapple Cherries Tomatoes Added Citric Acid:   Cheese,  Milk,  Soft-drinks,  Powdered drinks,  Frozen treats, and even s ome candy There are a few things to be aware of if you are eating or drinking a lot of these acidic items on a regular basis. Over time foods and drinks with high citric acid content can lead to the erosion of the enamel on your teeth.  When erosion has progressed into the softer, inner layer of your tooth (called the dentin) you will start to experience sensitivity and pain. If
Read more

A Caregiver’s Guide to Oral Health

-
Image
There are many aspects of being a caregiver, and some are certainly more challenging than others. This post is to help you with an often forgotten aspect of care: oral health. Taking care of a person's teeth is important. It will greatly increase their quality of life. For example, being able to eat has been linked to heart health.  Remember that maintaining healthy teeth through preventative measures is always easier and more cost effective than waiting for a problem to arise and then addressing it. By staying regular with dental check-ups and cleanings, many big problems can be avoided through early intervention. These check-ups and cleanings should be scheduled twice per year, unless the hygienist has specifically said to come in three or four times per year. Make sure  to bring a list of all current medications to update in your chart each time. Home dental hygiene care is also important. Brushing twice per day (for two minutes) and flossing once per day will help to
Read more

6 Tips For Coping With Dental Anxiety

-
Image
New Year's Resolution: Go to the dentist If you are like most people, you read that statement and your anxiety level starts to rise. If this is you, there are things that can help. Here are a few suggestions and tips that I give my patients to help calm their nerves before and during an appointment. Breathe. This may seem obvious, but it isn't when you are in a state of panic. Take slow, deep breaths and focus on your breathing. When your mind is on breathing, it isn't on your appointment. Sometimes it helps to visualize yourself in a "happy place." That happy place may be sipping margaritas on a beach somewhere, or surrounded by family and friends in front of your grandma's fireplace. Wherever and whatever it is for you, we encourage the daydream while you are in your appointment. Know what sets you off. It may be the sound of the drill or just the feeling of dental instruments on your teeth. Talk about it with your dentist whatever it might be. The
Read more