Toothbrushes are sometimes overlooked as one of the most important things we use on a daily basis. Using your toothbrush should become habit, not an optional choice if you have some free time at the end of the day. The importance of this vital step in our daily hygiene routine is crucial to the health of our teeth which ultimately affects the rest of our body. This means that it’s important to figure out which toothbrush is right for you, when you should use it and how to properly store it.
The idea of cleaning an adults or baby teeth has been around for thousands of years. Teeth cleaning tools date all the way back to 3500 BC. Although chewing sticks and pig hair, bristled brushes are a far cry from they nylon bristled, plastic handle brushes we use now. The need to clean our teeth has been eminent from the beginning. The act of brushing our teeth is about more than just getting fresh breath. Being able to brush our teeth gets rid of the plaque and bacteria buildup that coat our teeth and reduces the decay process. Brushing also helps when it comes to preventing gum disease because it cleans the gums, removing food and bacteria that may be stuck there. Brushing your teeth is effective in maintaining a clean mouth overall.
Which Toothbrush Should I Use?
Most stores sell toothbrushes and if you've ever tried to buy one then you know about the never ending types of toothbrushes. There is soft, medium, and hard bristled brushes. There are electric and manual ones, even different types of handles that are supposed to aid us in the perfect tooth brushing technique. The truth is that most tooth brushes will give you a sufficient cleaning. If they have the seal by of the ADA (American Dental Association) then they will provide you with an effective teeth cleaning. Remember not to brush too hard or you can cause your gums to bleed or become sensitive. Also make sure you’re effectively brushing by cleaning every tooth and even your tongue. Electronic toothbrushes are very popular because of the automatic rotation they provide that gives you an easier brushing experience. As long as you are properly brushing, using the type of bristles that are best for you and brushing twice a day, then you will generally be okay. Try to figure out what your needs are, and you will be able to find the right toothbrush that is customized for you.
Toothbrush Sanitation
When it comes to keeping your toothbrush clean there are a lot of things to take into consideration. Even though most of us keep our toothbrush in the bathroom, we forget that having anything that close to a toilet is a bit unsanitary. Every time you flush there are hundreds of bacteria particles that float into the air and you don’t want them clinging to the one item in the bathroom that you also put in your mouth. Try to take some extra precautions so you can keep your tooth brush as clean as possible.
- After each use, clean it and leave it upright to dry.
- Keep it as far from the toilet as you can.
- Make sure that there aren’t multiple toothbrushes touching in the same holder.
- Don’t cover your damp toothbrush because that is a breeding ground for more bacteria.
- Replace your toothbrush every 2-4 months depending on how frayed the bristles are or how worn down it gets.
Remember that brushing your teeth is extremely important and having a good toothbrush is essential for the health of your teeth.
Victoria Cairo is a blogger for Sugar Land Dental Spa in Sugar Land, Texas. She loves all things minty and tries to keep her teeth as clean as possible.
