It is important to prioritize your oral care by establishing an effective and consistent routine. Aside from brushing your teeth twice a day, you also need to floss your teeth daily, and use mouthwash to eliminate bacteria. Having checkups every few months will help improve the health of your teeth, and undergoing cosmetic dentistry can give you a more attractive smile as well. But if you do not take care of the tools you use on a daily basis, you will not see optimal results. This blog post shares seven tips that will show you how to properly care for your toothbrush. Keep reading to learn how to enhance your cleaning regimen.
1. Do Not Use Pressure to Brush Your Teeth
Using more force and pressure to clean your teeth can potentially damage your enamel. The enamel is a layer of protection that coats your teeth. Without it, your teeth are more likely to be exposed to staining, corrosion, and other kinds of damage. Aside from your teeth, your toothbrush also suffers the consequences if you use too much force to clean your teeth. The bristles on the brush will fray and fall out of place, leading your brush to not give a good clean. Rather than using unnecessary pressure, clean your teeth by using repetitive motions. Move the toothbrush in circles around your teeth, tongue, gums, and cheeks. For a perfect clean, you may need to brush for longer, but you will at least be preserving the life of your toothbrush.
2. Rinse Off Your Toothbrush
Your toothbrush makes contact with your entire mouth and the germs that reside in it. For that reason, it will pick up food particles, bacteria, and other debris from your mouth. Toothpaste can also be caught in the lower sections of the bristles. After you are finished with brushing your teeth, make sure to rinse off your toothbrush. Place the brush under warm, running water and gently rub the bristles with clean fingers.
3. Keep Your Toothbrush Dry
After you are done using your toothbrush, you need to properly store it. Shake off any excess water after rinsing it off. Then, place it upright in a toothbrush holder to allow the entire brush to dry out. If moisture stays on the brush, it can result in bacteria growth, and increase your risk for developing dental problems.
4. Don’t Share Your Toothbrush With Another Person
This might seem to be the most obvious tip, but it is still worth remembering. Regardless of whatever situation you may be in, you should never share your toothbrush with another person, even if they are your family member. Doing so will increase your risk for spreading bacteria and germs, and increasing your risk for developing oral health issues.
5. Wash Your Hands Before You Use Your Toothbrush
There are various kinds of bacteria that are on the surfaces that you touch. If you do not wash your hands before using your toothbrush, the germs can be transferred from your toothbrush to the inside of your mouth. Prior to brushing your teeth, wash your hands with an antibacterial soap to reduce the amount of germs on your hands.
6. Cover Your Toothbrush Only When You Travel
As mentioned earlier, it is necessary to keep your toothbrush dry as much as possible. When travelling, you need to cover your toothbrush. A toothbrush cover or case will prevent the tool from being contaminated by any debris residing in your toiletry bag, backpack, or suitcase. To allow the device to breathe while it is being stored, you can choose an aerated case or cover.
7. Replace Your Toothbrush Often
Lastly, you need to replace your toothbrush every three or four months. After enough time has passed, the bristles will wear down, rendering them to be ineffective. Keep a mental note of when you started using a new toothbrush. That way, you will be able to switch it out on that basis. After recovering from a cold or flu, start using a new toothbrush. Since bacteria from illnesses can remain in the bristles, replacing the toothbrush altogether can prevent you from getting sick again.
Perfect your oral health routine by using the tips above. If you are interested in finding out more information on taking care of your toothbrush, consult with your dentist. He or she would be more than happy to give advice that will improve the overall health of your teeth.
Author’s Bio
Afsara Tasnim is a content writer for BreezeMaxWeb, who helps businesses grow their online presence through creating engaging copy. During her spare time, she enjoys taking photographs of nature and exploring the outdoors.