How Often Should We Change Toothbrushes?
Did you know that the mouth is a source of nesting for bacteria? Yes, bacteria are found not only on the teeth, but also on the tongue. Maintaining oral health is very important, because the mouth is the first place for food digestion to occur. The food we eat will be digested in the mouth by enzymes in the mouth. Then the process of digestion of food is continued into the esophagus, digested by the stomach, then absorbed by the intestines. Can you imagine if our mouths are not healthy? The bacteria will also enter other parts of the body.
Maintaining oral health can be done by regularly brushing your teeth. Brushing your teeth must also be done properly and reach to the ends of the teeth, because bacteria can breed in hidden places in the teeth. Movement must be done in a circular manner, not just in one direction. We also have to choose a toothbrush that is comfortable to use and doesn’t hurt the gums.
Toothbrushes have different qualities, some are easily damaged by bristles, some are resistant to use for a long time. Of course, sometimes we don’t really pay attention to how often we change toothbrushes. When we see toothbrush bristles are damaged, that’s when we usually replace toothbrushes. However, is it true that this action? Let’s look at the facts.
Why should I replace my toothbrush?
As mentioned above, the mouth is a source of nesting for bacteria. When we brush our teeth, bacteria or microorganisms can move to the toothbrush. Not to mention, the place where we put our toothbrush is not necessarily sterile. As people usually do, toothbrushes are usually stored in an open place near the toilet, this is of course one of the reasons why our toothbrush is infected with microorganisms.
Not to mention, after brushing your teeth, the toothbrush will get wet, causing the risk of bacteria growing quite large. But you don’t need to worry, because there is not enough research to reveal that the bacteria lodged in a toothbrush can cause disease in the mouth. Oral disease is usually caused by bacteria in the mouth itself. According to Richard Price, DMD, a dentist in Newton, America, research has found that the microorganisms found in toothbrushes will not make people sick.
The toothpaste or toothpaste used usually has an anti-germ component, this component can make it difficult for microorganisms to survive. But microorganisms like damp places, so try to keep your toothbrush dry after use and put your toothbrush in a dry place.
When should you replace a toothbrush?
Based on The American Dental Association, it turns out that we should replace our toothbrush every three to four months. If you are using a replaceable toothbrush or an electric toothbrush, replace the head of the brush within three to four months. The same thing was said by Melanie S. Djamil, a professor and dentist, quoted by CNN Indonesia. He said that toothbrushes should be replaced every three months. If the bristles have been damaged, they should also be replaced immediately. Damaged bristles can injure the gums, causing them to bleed.
Still according to Melanie S. Djamil, bleeding gums can also be caused by sensitive gums. If this happens repeatedly, check with your doctor so you know what dental and gum care products are right for you. So if your gums are sensitive, don’t wait for the bristles to be damaged to replace the toothbrush. Bleeding gums should not be underestimated.
In addition, according to Maria Lopez Howell, a spokesperson for the speakers American Dental Association, children’s toothbrushes should be changed more frequently than adults. Children often bite their toothbrushes, so it is likely that the bristles of the toothbrush will break faster than those of adults. Apart from the bristles, you should also pay attention to the color changes in the brush. If the brush has changed color, that’s when you should replace your toothbrush.
How to care for and clean a toothbrush?
Besides paying attention to the bristles and usage time, you also need to pay attention to how to care for and clean your toothbrush. The following are tips for caring for and cleaning toothbrushes:
- Do not put the toothbrush in a closed place. We recommend that you put the toothbrush in an open place so that it dries quickly. This is to prevent bacteria from building up on your toothbrush.
- If your toothbrush has a brush cover, like most products on offer, it’s a good idea to wait for the brush to dry before putting on the lid.
- Clean the toothbrush with tap water. If you are worried about germs multiplying on your toothbrush. You can clean mouthwash that has antiseptic or alcohol content. Mouthwash is also effective at preventing microorganisms from developing, even though toothpaste is quite potent.
- Put it in the open. As mentioned above, this is done so that the brush dries faster. It doesn’t matter if the brush is shared with other people’s toothbrushes, but the thing to remember is never to use the same toothbrush with other people.
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