Toothbrush, a necessity we can say, is one of the most neglected personal item, which is responsible for a lot of health issues for your body.
Which color toothbrush should I buy??
Which brand should I be looking for??
Should I buy the expensive funky one or a normal inexpensive toothbrush which just meets my needs??
Electric or Manual??
All these questions do not matter if we do not know how to take care of our tooth brush and keep it clean and healthy to be very frank.
There are few things we need to consider while taking care of our toothbrush:
1. Changing of the toothbrush
a. Change your toothbrush within 3-4 months.
b. Change your toothbrush if the bristles fray.
How to check if the bristles have frayed?
Turn your brush in the opposite direction. If you can see the bristles
coming out then the bristles have frayed, and it is time to change the
brush.
c. Change your toothbrush after you have a cold or a sore throat.
2. Rinsing the toothbrush after every use
Rinse your toothbrush in flowing tap water after every use to keep it clean from any remnant toothpaste or saliva or any food particle that might have stuck to it.
3. Keep your toothbrush upright in the toothbrush holder
Always keep your toothbrush upright so that the residual water in the bristles can drain off and keep your toothbrush dry, which can prevent the bacteria to accumulate, and help the brush dry.
4. Do not keep your brush in a closed container
Never keep your toothbrush in a closed container. This leads to the toothbrush being wet all the time and the bacteria might accumulate in the bristles due to the dampness and cause infection when you use the brush the next time.
The containers which are available with the brushes sometimes are for sole purpose of travelling when you need to keep your brush clean. Dry your toothbrush completely before packing it in those containers.
5. Never share toothbrush
It is highly advised never to share toothbrushes as it leads to the exchange of harmful bacteria from one person to the other. In no circumstances should a toothbrush be shared.
6. Avoid keeping the toothbrush near the toilet
Keeping the toothbrush near the toilet should be avoided as the bristles of the toothbrush can harbor even the fecal bacteria which might be released in the air when the toilet is flushed.
Many people prefer sanitizing their toothbrush, but according to the ADA (American Dental Association) there is no data that recommends the same and it is not necessary also.
It is a big NO, to put your toothbrush either in a microwave or in a dishwasher as the heat might damage the bristles making it ineffective for the further use.
Also it is unnecessary to put your brush in either a mouth wash or any other solvent to make it extra clean. Just cleaning it with running tap water plays the trick.
The same care can be followed for your kid’s silicone finger brush and also the teethers. There is no special thing that needs to be done.
Happy Brushing!
Very informative