October is National Dental Health Month!

October is National Dental Health Month. Here's an article on Toothbrush tips to celebrate that. And, if you mention this blog post to Dr. Robb during your October 2018 appointment, we'll give you 10% off your portion of your visit for that day!

When you think about your toothbrush, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many, it’s the color or design . . . but is that really the most important thing? Let’s take a look at some toothbrush tips:

 

Many people feel they need hard or medium bristles to get their teeth clean. Plaque is very soft and will be removed by soft or extra soft bristle toothbrushes. One the plaque hardens into tartar or calculus, no toothbrush will remove it. So all the medium or hard bristles are doing is wearing away the protective covering of your tooth.

 

Replace your toothbrush when the bristles start to go in different directions or look splayed out or after three (3) months. Studies show that toothbrushes don’t clean as well after that three month mark. If your bristles look splayed out well before that three month mark, you may be pressing too hard.

 

Should you replace your toothbrush after colds or other illnesses? Opinions vary; so while it won’t hurt to give yourself a new toothbrush, if you forget, it may be okay. Many studies show your toothbrush contains millions of germs even when you don’t have a cold or other illness. Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it sounds. Many of these germs are not disease causing. (And remember too that tooth plaque is mostly bacteria so there’s no way to totally avoid germs on your toothbrush.) Your toothpaste is anti-germicidal and many of the germs need moisture to survive--so if you knock or tap off the extra water and store your brush vertically so that the bristles drain, you will eliminate many of the germs.

 

What are some other things you can do to lower the germs on your toothbrush?

  • Store it in your medicine cabinet or cupboard if possible. This will decrease the number of airborne germs that settle on it. If you don’t have a cabinet or cupboard, keep it as far away from your toilet as possible.
  • Make sure food particles aren’t trapped in the bristles or the tongue cleaner part of your toothbrush.
  • Soak your brush in mouthwash or in a half water/half hydrogen peroxide mixture or invest in a UV toothbrush sanitizer. (Though some sources say the UV light doesn’t really clean or de-germ your toothbrush as advertised.)

 

A word of warning: whatever you do, don’t put your toothbrush in the dishwasher or the microwave. It may clean your toothbrush, but it also makes the brush less effective and may even destroy your brush.

 

I hope you’ve enjoyed these toothbrush tips. I look forward to seeing you at my office for a visit. Remember, we’re saving a seat for you! Call 440-960-1940 to make an appointment or use the contact for at the bottom of my website www.drjrobb.com. You can also talk with me on facebook at www.facebook.com/DrJenniferRobb or follow me on twitter as jendent.