Caring for Your Child’s Toothbrush

The way that you take care of your child’s toothbrush can have an impact on his or her dental health. While many parents may not think twice about where or how their child’s toothbrush is stored or cared for, it’s something we should definitely pay more attention to. There are many ways to make sure that your child’s toothbrush is disinfected, clean, and will not be transferring more bacteria into your child’s mouth.

Storing and Caring for Your Child’s Toothbrush

Below are a few great tips on how you can properly care for your family’s oral hygiene tools:

• Rinse after each use – Rinsing your child’s toothbrush after each use can help loosen and remove food particles, remaining toothpaste, and bacteria from his or her toothbrush. Make sure the water you’re rinsing with is nice and warm.
• Don’t share brushes – This may seem like a no-brainer, but kids are known for brushing with whatever brush is available. Please make sure that each member of your household has his or her own toothbrush and knows not to swap. Otherwise, you may be sharing oral germs, which can cause dental cavities and tooth decay.
• Regularly switch brushes – Lastly, you should be switching out your child’s toothbrush every three to four months, or once the bristles on the brush begin to fray, whichever comes first. It’s also smart to replace your child’s brush after he or she recovers from a cold virus or the flu to avoid reinfection.

The above small tips can make a big impact on the health of your child’s mouth and teeth. In addition to practicing good oral hygiene habits, it’s also important that your dental tools are properly cleaned and taken care of. Use common sense when storing your family’s toothbrushes and avoid exposing them to more bacteria and germs.

To make an appointment for your children to receive dental cleanings and exams, please contact Little Smiles of Delaware today. Our pediatric dental office is located here in Delaware, Ohio.