You may have noticed that when you bought your last toothbrush, it didn’t come with an owner’s manual. And it doesn’t exactly need one. After all, it isn’t the most complicated thing you own. But it does need a little TLC if you want it to do its job.
First, know when it is time to retire your toothbrush. A good guideline is about three months. If the bristles are worn out or flattened or starting to droop, it’s time to get a new one. Children may brush with a little more energy than adults, so you may need to replace their toothbrushes more often.
When you aren’t using it, store it in an upright position, where the air can dry it. If you keep it in a drawer or even in the medicine cabinet, it will stay wet allowing bacteria and even mold to grow on it, and at that point, you will need a new one anyway. And keep the toilet lid down. When you flush, bacteria in the toilet become airborne and can land on your brush. It’s also a good idea to store toothbrushes away from one another to prevent the cross-contamination of oral bacteria. Cleaning your toothbrush after you use it is easy. All you need to do is run it under the tap until it is free of toothpaste and food debris.
If you have questions about taking care of your toothbrush in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania our dentist, Dr. Truong Nguyen will be happy to answer them. If you would like to make an appointment at Always Dental Care just give us a call at 484.392.7687 and we’ll be happy to schedule your visit.