Do You Know When To Replace Your Toothbrush ?.

Are you very vigilant about taking care of your oral health? That's great! Do you see your dentist on a regular basis for a professional cleaning and check-up? That is even better! Do you replace your toothbrush on a regular basis? If the answer to that question is "no", you can rest assured that you are not alone.

Many people forget to replace their toothbrush because it is such an easy gesture to overlook. However, if you have noticed that the toothbrush bristles are splayed out, it is time for you to get a new toothbrush.

How Often Should You Get A New Toothbrush

You have probably heard that you need to replace your toothbrush every two to three months. It is important to note that the actual time can vary greatly. If the bristles are worn out, you may need to replace your toothbrush before the three month mark. Additionally, if you have been sick recently or have an illness that weakens your immune system, you will also benefit from replacing your toothbrush frequently. Your toothbrush is a breeding ground for bacteria. Researchers have found that these same bacteria can lead to diarrhea and skin infections.

That is not something that you probably want to think about, but there are millions of bacteria living in your mouth right now. You remove some of these bacteria every time that you brush. Even though we remove millions of bacteria when we brush, our chances of becoming ill from a toothbrush are quite low. Additionally, it is not that difficult to keep the toothbrush hygienic.

Below are some simple tips that you can take to keep your toothbrush clean:

You will need to rinse your toothbrush off every time that you use it. It is best to use running tap water, so that you can get rid of all the food debris. After you have finished rinsing, shake the toothbrush to get rid of excess water.

Make sure that you set the toothbrush upright to dry. Bacteria thrive on moisture and if you set the toothbrush upright, you can help prevent the bacteria from multiplying. Many people put a toothbrush cover on their toothbrush. This is a bad idea because a cover can trap moisture.

Do not share your toothbrush with anyone. This might seem like a given, but sharing a toothbrush is a very easy way to spread germs.

You also want to make sure that you do not store your toothbrush close to the toilet. Bacteria spread through the air every time that you flush. Additionally, putting the sit down after every flush also helps prevent the spread of bacteria.

What else can you do to clean your toothbrush?

There are a number of toothbrush sanitizers available today. They come in the form of rinses, sprays and ultraviolet lights. These products claim to help kill bacteria, but there has been no evidence to suggest that they can prevent you from becoming ill.

Many people clean their toothbrush by putting in the dishwasher or heating it up in the microwave. However, no one recommends either one of those methods. You will probably damage your toothbrush, which will make it even less effective at removing bacteria.

Simply, put you need to make sure that you store your toothbrush correctly, avoid sharing it with other people and replace it on a regular basis.

Author Bio:

   Alison is an experienced dental professional and is part of the advisory board of TeethWhiteningKits.co.uk.  Check out her latest teeth care guide for a brighter smile


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