Dental Office in Walnut Creek Shows Why Toothbrush Care is Important
Though it may not be something to think about at all times, the treatment of your toothbrush is important when it comes to your oral health. Taking care of your teeth is more than just brushing your teeth for a short amount of time. Below, your dental office in Walnut Creek is going to break down the care for your toothbrush, along with recommendations when it comes to your dental care in relation to your brush.
All dentists highly recommend brushing your teeth for at least two minutes in the morning and at night, along with flossing. If you don’t brush your teeth for that amount of time, you may be missing parts of your mouth that haven’t been properly cleaned. After you’ve brushed, rinse your brush thoroughly in order to get any lingering bacteria off of the bristles. When it comes to storing your toothbrush, keep it in an open, airy space. If you contain your brush into a closed area or put a cover over it, the wet bristles can begin to form mold. Though it may seem small, it can notably make you sick.
The best time to replace your toothbrush is after at least three to four months of use. Patients may not see any physical changes to their brush, but the bristles are used and worn enough that they’re not giving you the best cleaning that they could. Waiting longer will eventually show the worn and splayed bristles, even further giving you a less than optimal brushing.
And, although you’re sure that your family or friends aren’t sick, letting them use your toothbrush is highly frowned upon. Even if they aren’t sick, mixing your bacteria with someone else’s can easily get them ill. Your bacteria is your own, so combining it with others, even if they’re your family, can harm their body.
Though toothbrushes may seem like a simple item and brushing seems like a simple step in your day, they’re more important than you may think. To learn more about your oral hygiene, contact your dental office in Walnut Creek by calling our office at 925-937-9017 or clicking here to request an appointment online.