Your toothbrush is perhaps the most important tool at your disposal when it comes to maintaining a white and bright smile—these little devices allow you to thoroughly clean your teeth, gums, and other oral structures on your own, and without them, practically all of us would be without healthy pearly whites! But your toothbrush needs to be kept clean and intact in order for it to do its job correctly; here’s a guide from your dentist to help you with this!
Use Hot Water
Thankfully, it’s relatively straightforward to keep your toothbrush clean after brushing, and you don’t need any fancy cleaners or solutions to do this (although sometimes an antibacterial mouthwash can be used)—simple hot water will do the trick! Your mouth is home to natural bacteria that help to keep things healthy and regulated, and rinsing your brush with hot water ensures that you aren’t completely removing this very necessary bacteria from your brush. You don’t need to boil your toothbrush, as this might melt the plastic handle. It’s also important to let your brush dry off completely after rinsing it off.
Store Your Brush Properly
When you aren’t using your brush, you need to be sure that it’s being stored in a secure and clean location; use an open-air holder, rather than a dirty cup or drawer. Don’t store your brush right next to other brushes, and also be sure that your bathroom counter is clean—bacteria can quickly travel over unclean surfaces! The American Dental Association also recommends that you don’t routinely cover your brush, to reduce the risk of unwanted bacteria congregating.
Replace Your Brush as Needed
You should aim to replace your toothbrush after every 3 months of regular use on average, but there are certain exceptions to this suggestion. If you’ve been sick recently, you should replace it immediately to prevent the transmission of germs. If the bristles on your brush have become noticeably worn or frayed, you also shouldn’t hesitate to replace it sooner.
As a bonus tip, it’s also worth mentioning that under no circumstances should you ever share toothbrushes, even with family members! This is one surefire way to transmit bacteria across mouths that can lead to nasty oral health issues. By taking great care of your toothbrush and knowing when to swap it out for a new one, you can ensure that your primary tool for at-home oral care is always getting the job done.
About the Author
The team at Skyline Dental is thrilled to serve patients and families in the Springfield, NJ community under the leadership of Dr. Aliana Henkin. Dr. Henkin received her DMD from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and is a proud member of several professional dental organizations including the American Dental Association and the New Jersey Dental Association. If you have any questions about the article or you’d like to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact Dr. Henkin through her practice’s website or by telephone for assistance: (973) 949-0925.