{"id":351,"date":"2018-09-06T09:13:14","date_gmt":"2018-09-06T13:13:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/drjimdental.com\/?p=351"},"modified":"2018-09-06T09:22:02","modified_gmt":"2018-09-06T13:22:02","slug":"taking-care-of-your-toothbrush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drjimdental.com\/taking-care-of-your-toothbrush\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking Care Of Your Toothbrush"},"content":{"rendered":"

WE ALL USE TOOTHBRUSHES<\/strong>\u00a0to take care of our teeth, but what are we doing to take care of our toothbrushes? It\u2019s critical that our toothbrushes remain in good condition so they can do their jobs of keeping our teeth healthy, which is why we\u2019re dedicating a blog post to giving our patients tips on toothbrush care!<\/p>\n

Cleaning Your Toothbrush<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Running your toothbrush under water and giving it a good shake won\u2019t do much to get rid of all the germs you just brushed off your teeth, especially if you\u2019ve recently battled the flu or a cold. Luckily, there are a few ways to deep-clean your toothbrush.\u00a0Boiling the bristles for a few minutes<\/strong>\u00a0will kill any germs on them, as will\u00a0soaking the toothbrush in mouthwash<\/strong>. You can also sanitize it by placing it in the silverware rack of the dishwasher and running it without detergent.<\/p>\n

Toothbrush Storage Dos and Don\u2019ts<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Do you store your toothbrush with the bristles on the counter or shelf, in a toothbrush cover, or near your toilet? Don\u2019t! Bacteria needs warmth and moisture to multiply and spread, and flushing your toilet can send microscopic contaminants all over your bathroom. The best way to keep bacteria from growing on your toothbrush is to\u00a0store it upright somewhere it can air out.<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s also a good idea to keep it well away from your toilet, and always put the lid down before flushing.<\/p>\n

When To Replace Your Toothbrush<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Getting used to a new toothbrush can feel weird. The bristles don\u2019t feel the same, the shape is different, and the handle isn\u2019t the same in your hand. But\u00a0if we want our teeth to get the proper cleaning they deserve,<\/strong>\u00a0this brief transition period is more than worth it.<\/p>\n

If the bristles on your brush are getting bent, worn, or frayed,\u00a0it\u2019s definitely time for a new one<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 particularly if they\u2019re sticking out the wrong way, because that won\u2019t do your teeth any good! Bristles need to be straight in order to reach all the places they should. Just as important: have they become discolored? You don\u2019t want to brush your teeth with stained, dirty bristles!<\/p>\n

Get Creative With Your Old Toothbrush<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Old toothbrushes are excellent tools for cleaning hard-to-reach areas in your house, like tile grout and backsplashes. You could boil it to make it soft, then bend it into a colorful bracelet! Toothbrushes also make great paintbrushes.<\/p>\n

To make your toothbrush art minty fresh, use toothpaste as your paint!<\/strong><\/p>\n