For such simple thing, with no moving parts, your toothbrush has a pretty big job to do. To make sure that it remains an effective tool for fighting cavities and gum disease, you can take a few simple steps to care for it.
Know when it is time to retire your toothbrush. You should get a new toothbrush every three months, or sooner if it is starting to show signs of wear. Children tend to brush with a little more energy than adults so you may have to replace their toothbrushes a little more often.
Cleaning your toothbrush is easy. You simply need to rinse the bristles until the food debris has been washed away. If you put the your toothbrush in the microwave, the dishwasher or boiling water to sterilize it, you may damage the bristles.
Store your toothbrush upright where the air can get to it to thoroughly dry it. If you leave it in a container, bacteria, and even mold may grow on the bristles.
You should store your toothbrush away from those of the other people in your household, Doing so will prevent bacteria from another person’s toothbrush spreading to someone else’s.
If you have questions about oral hygiene, or it is just time for your regular cleaning and exam, our dentist, Dr. Alan L. Frame will be happy to see you. If you live in the Santa Clara, California, area, give us a call at 408-244-3562 to schedule an appointment.