Keep it dry
Keep you toothbrush upright to dry fully after use. Avoid covering the head of the brush when it is still wet. More bacteria thrive in a closed environment.
Know when to let go
Change your brush when you notice the bristles are frayed. Generally, as a rule change you brush once in 3-4 months. If the bristles fray earlier, it means you are applying too much pressure in brushing. If the bristles don’t fray at the end of even 6 months, it means you are not cleaning enough. The same rule applies to electric brushes also.
No sharing
This is an absolute No-No even among family members. Your toothbrush carries the bacteria from your saliva and can be transmitted to the other person. Teach your children not to share brushes with siblings or friends. Tooth decay can spread from one person to another this way.
Avoid the toilet
Keep your brushes at least 6 feet away from the toilets. Germs become airborne while flushing and can settle on your toothbrushes.
Keep them seperate
If you are keeping more than one brush together in a jar, then place them away from each other. Brushes in touch with the others can spread bacteria and contaminate your brushes.
Change after an illness
Don’t forget to change your brush after an illness, mouth scaling or gum surgery. Using the old brush can have the old microbes come back into your mouth.
No special care
Cleaning the brushes with an anti bacterial mouthwash or any commercially available sanitiser has no beneficial effects in keeping your brush clean. On the contrary, these chemicals can cause damage to your teeth and gums. Also, do not try to clean the brush in a dishwasher. This will only damage the brush.
