How to keep your toothbrush clean
Keeping your toothbrush clean can seem like a simple task…
Your toothbrush should always be kept clean. You may think that storing it in the cupboard is the best place for it. You may also think there’s no harm in sharing it with your partner. There’s a lot that goes into keeping your toothbrush clean. We’re going to give you some tips on what you should (or shouldn’t be doing) to keep your toothbrush clean.
Never Share your toothbrush
Sharing a toothbrush is never recommended. You will expose yourself to dangerous viruses, bacteria, and even blood borne pathogens from people whose gums bleed while they brush. If you’re in need of a toothbrush, you can chew gum, use your finger, or floss and use mouthwash. Don’t borrow toothbrushes.
Always rinse your toothbrush after use
Rinsing your after use is crucial in keeping your toothbrush clean. You don’t need hot or even purified water to do this—a careful rinse with tap water is all that’s needed. Rinsing your toothbrush removes the used toothpaste, food particles, and can help remove other bacteria from the bristles, which can help extend the life of your toothbrush.
Replace your toothbrush every 3 – 4 months
You may be keeping your toothbrush clean but it doesn’t mean it’ll last forever. Our toothbrushes need to be replaced whenever they begin showing signs of wear. This is true for both standard and electric ones. You can easily get rid of the attachment of electronic toothbrushes and get a new one when needed. Standard toothbrushes are inexpensive and affordable to replace!
The best way to tell if your toothbrush is nearing the end of its use is to examine the bristles. Frayed bristles mean they aren’t cleaning your teeth properly. You may also want to replace your toothbrush after an illness or if you’ve recently received treatment for tooth decay or gum disease, as your toothbrush may be holding on to bacteria that could re-introduce these issues to your mouth.
A general time frame is 3 – 4 months per brush. Keep track of when you last replaced your toothbrush. If you realise you need a new one click the link below to see our range of toothbrushes and toothbrush heads.
Keep your toothbrush in an open-air space
After your rinse your toothbrush, it’s important to let it dry out in a place where there’s enough air circulation. Keeping your toothbrush in a drawer or even behind the mirror isn’t a good idea—these places don’t allow the toothbrush to properly dry out and can even encourage the growth of bacteria and mould. Toothbrushes are guilty for harbouring bacteria as well!
The best way to store your toothbrush is by keeping it upright in a container that allows it to dry out. Don’t let toothbrush heads touch if you share a container with other people’s brushes. Storing your toothbrush upright allows water to drain off the bristles and the open-air space allows it to dry out and not harbour dangerous bacteria.
We hope that you’ll go ahead with what you’ve learned and take steps in keeping your toothbrush clean. Or maybe you’ve got one you’ll want to throw out now…
