If you care about your dental health, you know that keeping your teeth free from bacteria and plaque is important. You use your toothbrush to clean your teeth, but can your toothbrush harbor germs? Here’s what you need to know about how to keep your toothbrush clean.
What’s Hiding Inside Your Toothbrush?
Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3 months, but sometimes toothbrushes show signs of wear and tear sooner than that. Common signs that you need to replace your toothbrush early are when your toothbrush develops an unpleasant smell or displays visible signs of mold underneath the bristles.
But sometimes germs and bacteria can hide inside the bristles of your toothbrush without you knowing it until it begins to negatively affect your health. Let’s talk about how to keep your toothbrush clean.
Storing Your Toothbrush
One of the most important ways to keep your toothbrush clean is to make sure that you store it properly. Storing your toothbrush in a place where it doesn’t dry out between uses can turn your brush into the perfect breeding ground for mold, germs, and other pathogens to grow.
When you store your toothbrush, make sure to first rinse it thoroughly, then put it someplace where it will get good airflow, but also stay protected from getting splashed or knocked over and encountering new germs.
When to Replace Your Toothbrush
Sometimes knowing how to keep your toothbrush clean is important and other times it’s best to know when it’s time to replace it.
If you’ve been sick, it’s a good idea to go ahead and replace your toothbrush. If your toothbrush falls on the bathroom floor, it’s also best to replace it rather than trying to clean it. Any visible signs of the bristles fraying, mold, or if it’s been about 3 months since you last replaced it are all solid reasons to throw it out and opt for a new one.
Keeping good brushing habits is important, but it’s just as important that you have the right tools so all your hard work to take good care of your teeth will be as effective as possible!
Call our Glendale, AZ, dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.