Taking Good Care of Your Toothbrush

The way that you take care of your toothbrush can impact your oral health. Many of us don’t think twice about how we’re cleaning and storing our toothbrush, but it’s something we should pay more attention to! There are ways to make sure that your toothbrush is clean and disinfected, which will decrease the bacteria in the mouth.

Properly Caring for and Storing Your Toothbrush

Below are a few tips on how to properly care for and store your toothbrush:

• Switch out your brush regularly – You should be replacing your toothbrush every three months or sooner if you’re noticing the bristles are beginning to fray. We also recommend replacing your toothbrush after you’ve had a recent cold or the flu to avoid getting sick again.
• Rinse your brush after each use – After brushing your teeth, rinse your toothbrush under hot water for 15-20 seconds. This will remove bacteria, food particles, and any remaining toothpaste from the brush.
• Avoid sharing your toothbrush – Kids are notorious for “sharing” toothbrushes; Just grabbing the closest toothbrush to brush before bed. This will allow the bacteria from one mouth to spread to another, increasing the chances of tooth decay and dental cavities. Every person in your household needs to have his or her own toothbrush and taught not to use anyone else’s. 
• Soak your brush in antibacterial mouthwash – There has been some evidence that suggests that soaking your toothbrush in antibacterial mouthwash for a few minutes after brushing your teeth can reduce the bacteria on the toothbrush.

The above tips are simple ways to make a big impact on your oral hygiene routine. In order to have a healthy mouth, it’s important that your toothbrush is clean and properly taken care of. Use common sense when storing your toothbrush and avoid exposing it to more germs and bacteria.

At Little Smiles of Delaware, we want all of our patients and their families to have healthy, happy smiles! To learn more about taking care of your child’s teeth, please call Little Smiles of Delaware here in Delaware, Ohio.