What are the signs that would tell you that you need a new toothbrush?
Experts say that this is how often you should change your toothbrush and the necessary things you need to know about this tool for cleaning your teeth.
Brushing your teeth has a big impact on your oral health. This method of cleaning the teeth has been taught since childhood. However, unfortunately, a lot of people still don’t know how to properly care for their teeth or oral health.
Based on the article in The Healthy, a report from the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that 45 percent of 3.5 billion people, or almost half of the population suffer from oral diseases.
Alison Newgard, DDS, dentist at Columbia Doctors and assistant professor of clinical dentistry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center shared that the main reason for changing your toothbrush is bacterial build-up. An old one can harbor bacteria that can damage your teeth and give you bad breath.
Dr. J. Salim, DMD, founder of Sutton Place Dental Associates in New York City said that it is time for you to change the tool for cleaning your teeth if the bristles start to be darker because there might be growing mold in there, which could lead to oral infections. You should have a new one also if the bristles are bent or broken.
Experts advise that you should change your toothbrush every three to four months, or if it is already damaged and dirty.
There are certain ways that you can do to clean your toothbrush:
- Store your toothbrush in a safe, dry environment to prevent mold
- Avoid using caps that trap bacteria and moisture
- Use boiling water and let it soak for two minutes
- You can also soak it in antibacterial mouthwash or a small cup of hydrogen peroxide
- Another option is to soak it in distilled vinegar, then let it air-dry in an upright position