We all have been told how important it is to brush our teeth regularly. Every day, there are naturally hundreds of microorganisms in our mouth. This is fine, as long as there doesn’t become an unhealthy balance of bacteria in your mouth. When you brush your teeth, the toothbrush’s job is to get rid of plaque and plaque is bacteria. So, you’re putting bacteria on your toothbrush every time you brush your teeth.
Fortunately, the human body regularly fights bacteria and your body’s natural defenses make it highly unlikely that that you’ll catch something simply from brushing your teeth. But, there are ways to make sure your toothbrush stays as bacteria free as possible.
- Store it as far away as possible from the toilet — Every toilet flush sends a spray of bacteria into the air. You don’t want the toilet spray anywhere near your open toothbrush. Better yet, store it in the medicine cabinet.
- Keep it rinsed — Rinse off your toothbrush thoroughly with water after using it.
- Keep it dry — Bacteria love a moist environment. Make sure your brush has a chance to dry thoroughly between brushings. Avoid using toothbrush covers, which can create a moist enclosed breeding ground for bacteria.
- Keep it upright — Store your toothbrush upright in a holder, rather than lying it down.
- Keep it to yourself – Don’t use other family members’ toothbrushes. Don’t even store your toothbrush side-by-side in the same cup with other people’s brushes. Toothbrushes can swap germs when they touch.
Caring for your teeth while wearing braces or Invisalign is very important. Doing a thorough job brushing your teeth, with a healthy toothbrush, should be at the top of the list. Contact Dr. Glaser at his Cortlandt Manor office if you have any additional questions about your toothbrush during your orthodontic treatment.
For a free consultation in our Northern Westchester Orthodontist Office, please call for an appointment today!
1983 Crompond Road
Cortlandt Manor
New York New York 10567
Phone: (914) 739-6400
info@glaserortho.com