Your toothbrush is the primary weapon of the battle against decay, gum disease and a number of dental conditions in your mouth. But what if your weapon is worn out or untidy? Will it be able to defeat all the problems and give you a healthy smile?

Let’s have a sneak peek into the conditions where your brush can turn bad and can be harmful to your teeth.

A worn-out toothbrush

Enamel is the hardest substance present in the human body and still can break down if you have a hard bristle toothbrush. Weak enamel puts teeth at a risk for staining, sensitivity, decay or may even chip off. 

Hard brushing can lead to attrition, which is the formation of notches at the crown-root junction. It can also damage gums by receding the gum-line, exposing the root.

Therefore, dentists recommend you to use a soft bristle brush in a non-harsh manner. Change the brush once it is torn out and cannot clean efficiently. Period of changing varies from person to person, i.e. 1 month – 6 months.

Placement matters

Keep your toothbrush holder or cabinet away from the toilet and sink. The toilet can create an aerosol effect with particles of germs traveling through the air after flushing. How gross is that!

Bacteria form their colonies in dark, warm and moist places. Also, keeping your toothbrush safe by covering or storing it in a closed container might cause problems. A wet toothbrush stored in a case or container can trigger the bacteria to activate causing oral problems.

The American Dental Association states, “No commercial products can sterilize a toothbrush and it’s not required”. 

Here, sharing is not caring

Make sure that each and every family member has a different color or style toothbrush. Bacteria from one individual’s mouth can be transferred to another individual’s mouth. The microorganisms can grow leading to dental caries and gum diseases. Looking forward to more such wonderful songs.

Any member suffering from skin disease or mainly viral infections should keep his/her toothbrush safe and separately.

Keep your toothbrush safe by cleaning frequently

Toothbrush storage cases or containers can become dirty very easily, so it is important to clean them frequently to prevent a build-up of dust, germs, and microbes that may contaminate your toothbrushes. You can easily clean by wiping them using an antibacterial cleaner, or washing the container in the dishwasher.