Toothbrush Care 101

A popular tweet sent recently from my twitter account had to do with the origination of toothbrushes. It is true that horse and boar hair were once used to make the bristles for the common tooth brush! Its a pretty disgusting thought to us now, but you'd be surprised what used to pass for "OK to use!"

Still, these days tooth brushes are not as durable as they once were. Have you ever thought about how long yours lasts? According to a study sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive, most Americans replace their brush every 9 months, with only about 9% replacing their brushes regularly. Turns out you need to replace it when it shows wear, not within a certain time.

Follow these simple steps to extend the life of your toothbrush:
• Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months (or sooner if the bristles start to bend or fray).
• Rinse your toothbrush with tap water after brushing and allow it to air dry; air drying helps kill bacteria.
• Store your toothbrush upright so it can drain and air dry faster. If you keep it in a cup with other toothbrushes, don’t allow the toothbrushes to touch each other.
• Don’t share toothbrushes.
• Avoid placing your toothbrush in a small container for long periods of time. Moisture can easily build up, creating an environment for bacteria to grow. While traveling, allow your toothbrush to air dry completely before storing it.
• Keep your toothbrush away from the toilet. Because germs may go airborne when you flush, always keep the toilet lid down.

Now if that's not incentive for closing the toilet seat, I don't know what is! Proper oral hygiene is a learned ability. Children may need extra help in reaching back teeth, and yes, those baby teeth are still important even though they'll fall out! Parents should brush children's teeth and coach proper brushing until the technique is mastered. You can get tips on how to properly brush and floss on our website. If you're still having trouble explaining technique to your child, we can help at your next appointment.


Sources: American Dental Association, Colgate-Palmolive, Tricare Dental Program websites