Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
Most people know when it’s time to do laundry because they have no clean clothes to wear, or when it’s time to fill up their vehicle with gas because the low-fuel indicator comes on. But, fewer people know when to change their toothbrush. You may even have been told when to buy a new one, but often forget. At Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, our general dentists in Scotts Valley want to share with you five ways to tell it’s time for a new toothbrush.
You’ve been sick
Your body is carrying a lot of harmful germs when you’re sick. Anytime that you have a cold, run a fever, or have otherwise been sick, it’s time to throw out your old toothbrush and get a new one. Toothbrushes already harbor enough bacteria as it is, and the last thing you want to do is infect yourself again with harmful germs from when you were ill.
The bristles are frayed, worn out, or bent
If your toothbrush’s bristles look like they were used to scrub a pair of tennis shoes or the grout between your bathroom tile, then it’s time for a new one! Bristle that are frayed, falling out, bent, or otherwise worn out are less effective. So, while you might think that you are saving a few bucks by continuing to use the same old worn-out toothbrush, you actually could be causing more harm than good in terms of your oral health. For all that it’s worth, drop a few bucks and get a new toothbrush.
Your toothbrush touched someone else’s toothbrush
This may sound overkill, but if your toothbrush touches someone else’s, it can pick up germs instantly. Most people are unaware that gum disease-causing germs can be transmitted from one person to another. So, if your toothbrush comes in contact with someone else’s, get a new one.
You dropped your toothbrush
We hate to break it to you, but the two-second rule you lived by when you were a kid and dropped your candy bar on the floor does not apply here. If your toothbrush touches an unclean surface, it can pick up a plethora of germs within a few seconds. So, while your inner-child may be convinced that the two-second rule applies in this case, it doesn’t. Save yourself from the risk of germs that could make you really sick by just throwing out your toothbrush and getting a new one.
Your toothbrush has been stored in a travel container
Travel containers are great for traveling, but you shouldn’t store your toothbrush in one all of the time. That’s because these cases or covers make it difficult for your toothbrush to dry out. The moist environment is a breeding ground for bacteria. It is best to remove the travel case from your toothbrush as soon as you get home to unpack. Even just one day of sitting in a travel case is enough to cause some serious consequences.
One last sign that it’s time to get a new toothbrush is that you can’t remember how long you’ve been using your current one. Drs. Max and Ariana Ebrahimian, family dentists in Los Gatos, recommend replacing your toothbrush once every three months, or if you experience one of these instances above. Doing so will ensure that your toothbrush is doing its job and that you protect your oral health. If you would like to learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry, a general dentistry office in Scotts Valley that accepts new patients. Contact our office by calling (831) 438-4411.