Your toothbrush has an important job to do, which is keeping your teeth clean and free of food debris and plaque. But your toothbrush can’t do its job well if you don’t keep it in good shape.
Every time you brush your teeth, you should inspect the bristles on your toothbrush. They should be in good shape, upright, and not flattened or worn. If that is the case, you need to replace your toothbrush. In fact, you should make a point of buying a new toothbrush every three months. Kids tend to brush a little more aggressively than adults so they may need a new toothbrush more frequently.
Your toothbrush needs to be cleaned after you use it. To clean your toothbrush, you merely need to rinse it until it is free of debris and toothpaste. You do not need to sterilize your toothbrush by boiling it, running it through the dishwasher, or putting it in the microwave. These things, along with placing it under an ultraviolet light will probably damage the bristles and do nothing to clean it.
You should store your toothbrush upright and in a place where it will not come into contact with the other toothbrushes in your household. This will keep the bacteria on the various brushes from cross-contaminating one another.
If you have questions about your oral health care, or if it is just time for your routine cleaning and exam, our dentist, Dr. Nathan Owens will be happy to meet you! If you live in the Pulaski, Tennessee, area, you can call (931) 277-4666 to schedule an appointment at Owens Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.