According to American Dental Association, they recommend to change your toothbrush every 3 months; but how many of us actually do that? Changing our toothbrush is something that we don’t think to do like getting an oil change or watering your plants, but if you understand the reason why it is important, than changing your toothbrush once in a while will become a priority.
How do I know when to change my toothbrush?
Your toothbrush bristles should be straight and bundled. Over time the fine, straight bristles bend, making it difficult to keep the back areas of your mouth and where your teeth and gum to keep clean. A worn out toothbrush becomes less effective at doing its job. Keith Arbeitman, a dentist with 15 years experience, provides this tip to make it a habit of running your tongue across your teeth after you brush to appreciate the clean, slippery feeling but when you’ve lost that feeling that it’s time to change.
Do I need to change my toothbrush when I get sick?
Although there’s has not been any evidence that shows an increase of chance we can re-infect ourselves after getting sick, germs can hide in our toothbrush bristle. So to just play it safe, buying a new toothbrush would not hurt especially if you share the bathroom with other people. If you are not sick but your spouse or kids are sick and their toothbrush is near you bacteria can swap form theirs to yours, especially if the toothbrush is wet.
Another reason to change your toothbrush is if your toothbrush is near the toilet. When you flush the toilet, water or maybe fecal matters tend to spray upwards, so if your toothbrush is near the toilet, it’s likely that the germs made its way to your toothbrush. This can lead to spread noroviruses which makes you nauseous, diarrhea and stomach cramps.
Toothbrushes keeps our mouth and teeth clean, which prevents us from getting cavities or plaque that can turn into tartar, but it does not protect us from diseases or kills bacteria in our mouth. Here are tips to prevent spreading any form of illness or viruses.
- Change your toothbrush every 3 months.
- If you are sick ,change your toothbrush after recovering. Keep your toothbrush away from other toothbrush if you share a holder with someone else. This will help not spread the virus.
- Yes bacteria does die once your toothbrush is dry, however keeping it in a container where it can create moist environment can lead to growth of microorganisms.
- Close your toilet seat if your toothbrush is near it.
- Keep your toothbrush upright, to let your brush dry faster.
- Never ever share a toothbrush with someone else.
- If you have low immune system, or tend to get ill faster, change your toothbrush more frequently.
If you don’t remember when was the last time you bought your toothbrush, just stop by at Grand Mission Dentistry and grab one. It is our mission to make sure you are taken care of with your oral health. Book an appointment now so we can do a thorough examination of your mouth. Healthy mouth starts with you and ends with us.
References:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/should-i-replace-my-toothbrush-after-ive-been-sick-770715
https://www.getquip.com/blog/why-change-your-brush-head-every-3-months
http://regentdental.ca/news/six-signs-time-replace-your-toothbrush/
https://www.crescentorthodontics.com/14-germ-facts-about-the-human-mouth/