How to Take Care of Your Toothbrush
It's important to keep your tooth brush clean and in great shape. Here's what a dentist in Tarrytown, NY would suggest you do.
One of the most basic yet important parts of maintaining oral hygiene is brushing and flossing daily. By keeping your gums and teeth healthy, you impact your overall wellbeing. And from childhood, you’ve been brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, and visiting a dentist Tarrytown NY, for routine checkups.
But do you know not taking care of your toothbrush can derail your efforts to maintain a healthy smile? Yes, an improperly maintained toothbrush can harm your teeth, gums, and tongue when brushing. Also, the toothbrush won’t effectively remove harmful bacteria, plaque and food remain.
To enhance your oral cleaning regimen, it’s vital to take proper care of your toothbrush. After all, you don’t want to end up doing more harm than good when brushing your teeth. But, how do you take care of your toothbrush?
If you’re wondering what proper care tips for your teeth cleaning instrument are, you’re on the right page. Read more to learn key tips on how to take care of your toothbrush for
good oral health.
Rinse Off Your Toothbrush
When brushing your teeth, the toothbrush comes into contact with the germs, bacteria, and food particles in your mouth. Also, the toothpaste may have lodged on the base of the cleaning device. When these substances accumulate on the toothbrush, it becomes inefficient can present harm to your oral health.
It’s crucial to rinse off your toothbrush every time you’re done brushing to remove the remaining saliva, bacteria, and toothpaste. Placing the brush under warm, running water can help remove any debris and also loosen the bristles. Also, using clean hands, rub the bristles gently to clear off any stuck material.
Also, don’t forget to wipe down the handle. Bacteria can accumulate when water and saliva run down the brush, which can grow and re-enter your mouth when brushing again.
Don’t Brush Too Hard
It might feel like using pressure and force to brush your teeth will give you an effective clean, but it’s not the case. Using pressure to clean your teeth can damage the enamel by weakening it. Over time, your teeth become prone to corrosion, staining, and other similar damage.
Also, brushing too hard will damage the toothbrush. The bristles will fray, bend and wear out and the toothbrush becomes less effective. Here, you’ll find your toothbrush wearing out much more quickly compared to when you brush gently.
Rather than brushing hard, move the toothbrush gently and repetitively. Use minimal pressure to move the brush around the tongue, teeth, cheeks, and gums. While it might take you more time to brush your teeth, you prolong the efficiency and life of the toothbrush.
If you think you’ve been brushing hard enough to harm your enamel, visit a
dental clinic for a checkup.
Avoid Sharing Your Toothbrush
While this might seem obvious, never share your toothbrush with anyone regardless of the circumstances. Whether your loved one has come over or you’re the one visiting, and there is no unused toothbrush, avoid sharing.
Toothbrush sharing increases the risk of germs and bacteria spreading. This can cause serious oral health problems.
Wash Hands Before Using Your Toothbrush
As you go about daily activities, your hands are exposed to lots of bacteria. These germs can easily transfer to your toothbrush and eventually into your mouth. You’ll need to wash your hands before brushing your teeth to prevent such infections.
Use an antibacterial soap to wash your hands and reduce the germs on your hands. This ensures you don’t end up transferring harmful germs into your mouth, causing serious oral issues.
Don’t Cover Your Toothbrush Unless Traveling
At all times, you want your toothbrush to remain as dry as possible. Thus, ensure to always leave the toothbrush in the holder while at home. However, make sure the toothbrush is properly covered if you’re traveling.
A case or cover will protect the toothbrush from other materials in your suitcase, backpack, or toiletry bag. Make sure the cover or case you’re using is well aerated to allow for proper breathing even when stored. Toothbrush covers are designed with small holes to allow airflow, keep the brush dry and prevent contact with other debris.
Replace the Toothbrush Periodically
When was the last time you replaced your toothbrush? Well, if you’ve used it for more than four months, it’s time to get a new one. The American Dental Association recommends you change your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
With time, bristles wear down, making the toothbrush ineffective at removing plaque. Also, excessive bacteria will build upon the toothbrush if it’s used for an extended period. Thus, note when you start using a new toothbrush to ensure you change it accordingly.
However, you’ll need to replace your toothbrush after recovering from an illness such as a cold or flu. The bacteria from these illnesses can attach to the bristles causing the illness to reoccur. By replacing the toothbrush, you get rid of all bacteria and prevent getting sick again.
Here Are Tips to Take Care of Your Toothbrush
A toothbrush is momentous in maintaining good oral healthcare. However, to ensure the cleaning device doesn’t cause any harm and lasts, it’s paramount you know how to take care of it. Above are some tips for caring for a toothbrush.
Are you looking for a dentist in Tarrytown, NY? At Broadway Cosmetic Dentist PC, we got you covered. We offer the best dental care available to maintain our clients’ oral health and improve their smiles.
Contact us today to request an appointment.
Dr. Rohit Z Patel
D.D.S
After graduating at the top of his class, Dr. Patel continued his postgraduate studies in endodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York. He was appointed to assistant clinical professor of dentistry at Columbia University and later moved on to teach at the Montefiore Medical Center’s Department of Dentistry. Westchester Magazine recognized Dr. Patel as a “Top Dentist for 2012.”
Dr. Yung Kim
D.D.S
Dr. Yung Kim is a double board certified Periodontist and board certified Prosthodontist, educated to treat many extremely complex disorders involving gum disease, tooth decay, and oral pathology. His focus is on full-mouth, complex, surgical, and reconstructive dentistry. He has extensive knowledge of implant dentistry and advanced surgical procedures, specializing in teeth in a day and All-on-Four implants. He is also Invisalign certified and experienced with CAD/CAM restorations and dentures.
Dr. Brendan Gallagher
D.D.S
Dr. Brendan Gallagher is dedicated to providing safe, compassionate, and reliable surgical care while keeping communication clear and timely with referring offices. He values building strong partnerships with colleagues to ensure the very best care for patients. Outside of practice, Dr. Gallagher enjoys mentoring upcoming dentists through social media and podcasting. He also enjoys running, trying new craft beers and spending time with friends and family. You can find Dr. Gallagher at our Brewster, Tarrytown and Mount Vernon locations.
Dr. Santvana Vyas
D.D.S
Dr Vyas attended NYU College of Dentistry and earned DDS in 2016 at the top of her class. She was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the national dental honor society and earned Outstanding Achievement Award in study of Prosthodontics.
Dr Vyas is an active member of American College of Prosthodontics (ACP) and American Dental Association (ADA). She is appointed as a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU College of Dentistry. She is married and is blessed with two sons.
Dr. Gianna DeMase
D.D.S
Dr. DeMase received her undergraduate degree from Binghamton University where she double-majored in Biology and Spanish. She then earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University College of Dentistry where she graduated with honors in periodontics. After dental school, Dr. DeMase completed a General Practice Residency at Jacobi Medical Center, a level one trauma hospital. Here, she participated in community outreach in the women’s health clinic and taught medical students how to do oral exams. She also worked with special needs patients in Jacobi’s Rose F. Kennedy Center. Dr. DeMase remains committed to being active in the community.
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Dr. DeMase has experience in cavity restoration, endodontics, oral surgery, oral pathology, and prosthodontics including implant restorations.
She highly values patient education and always ensures your comfort and understanding of the treatment. She strongly believes in patient centered care and therefore tailors each treatment plan to you and your needs. As a member of the American Dental Association, Dr. DeMase is always aware of the latest studies and developments in the dental field and strives to apply them to her practice. In her spare time, she can usually be found with a book in her hands.
