All About your Toothbrush

Your toothbrush is your main weapon against the army of tiny invaders that is dead set on colonizing your teeth. Brushing your teeth helps keep bacterial populations low, removes dental plaque, and of course, scrapes off any leftover food debris. However, a warrior is only as good as his or her weapon! Here’s what you need to know about how to make the most out of your toothbrush.

What’s the Big Deal?

Go ahead and take a look at your toothbrush right now. Unless you’ve replaced it very recently, chances are good that the bristles have started to wear and are looking a little under the weather. Toothbrush wear is obviously expected, but it’s important to know where you want to draw the line. An old toothbrush is many times less efficient than a fresh one, and it can even start harbouring bacterial patches of its own. This is obviously a big problem — you brush your teeth to remove bacteria, not to add more!

When Should I replace my Toothbrush?

A regular, soft bristle toothbrush should be replaced every two to three months. This timeframe can vary slightly depending on usage and how rough you are when brushing your teeth, but if you’re brushing twice a day every day, three months should be about right. Children tend to be a bit harsher on their toothbrushes, and you may need to get theirs changed more frequently. Consider also changing your toothbrush sooner if you’ve been sick or have recently had a bad bout of bleeding gums to avoid recontaminating your mouth. Think you’ll have trouble remembering when it’s time for a change, or simply can’t be bothered to make a trip to the store? Not a problem! There are plenty of services out there that will mail you a new toothbrush when it's time to switch.

Electric v.s manual

Electric toothbrushes are preferred by many, but other Calgarians swear by their trusty manual brush. While an electric brush gives a more consistent cleaning and ease of access to the gumline, you’re granted more control over range and pressure with a manual brush. At the end of the day, brushing your teeth effectively is much more important than what kind of brush you’re using. Finally, be sure to keep your brush clean! Rinse it after each use, and allow it to air dry.

Your toothbrush is your weapon and your best friend against the dangers of tooth decay and gum disease! Treat it well, and it will return the favour. Centennial Smiles Dental is happy to talk to answer any of your questions or to suggest a new toothbrush if you’re looking for a change. Feel welcome to reach us at (587) 317-7959 anytime.