This two-part article series explores a host of surprising facts you probably didn't know about your toothbrush and it’s importance to the maintenance of smile health.

Welcome to the second installment of this article series on the advice Sun City dental healthcare practitioners have for us regarding the maintenance and usage of that essential cleaning implement: the toothbrush. In Part 1, we looked at the following important facts:

1. You should brush your teeth for two minutes at a time.
2. Those special toothbrush storage caps actually foster an environment conducive to bacterial growth.
3. Never store your toothbrush within 6 feet of a flushing toilet.
4. Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or when the bristles become frayed.

We still have a few more facts to cover, so let’s get started…

5. The state of your toothbrush bristles says quite a bit about how you brush your teeth.

Take a look at your toothbrush. Are the bristles straight or are they slightly bent and frayed? It’s totally normal for this to happen with time and wear, but if your toothbrush starts looking disheveled within a few weeks of using it, you may be brushing way too hard!

“Keep an eye on the state of your toothbrush’s bristles and when they start looking the worse for wear, get a new toothbrush. If they get frayed quickly, lessen up on the pressure,” advise cosmetic dentistry practitioners in AZ.

6. Your toothbrush could be making you sick!

If you don’t store your toothbrush properly, allow it to dry between uses or replace it frequently enough, it could very well be making you sick,” warn Sun City dental healthcare professionals. “Even if you rinse your toothbrush after using it – and you should – bacteria and food debris will get left behind. By allowing your toothbrush to wallow in a puddle of water instead of drying properly between uses, bacteria are encouraged to proliferate in the bristles of your toothbrush. Additionally, leaving it out and exposed to the air in your bathroom, especially there’s a flushing toilet in the same room, could allow harmful pathogens to settle on your toothbrush.”

You should also replace your toothbrush after any viral infection, such as influenza, or you could risk re-infecting yourself.

7. Scrubbing hard doesn't clean better!

“Many people make the mistake of pushing down too hard when they brush,” say Sun City dental professionals. “They think that the more vigorous they are, the better or more efficiently they’ll clean their teeth, but this kind of aggressive brushing can actually do terrible damage to your teeth. Not only does it irritate the gums, causing them to become inflamed, but it can also erode away the protective dental enamel covering your teeth. This causes the softer and more yellow dentine to become exposed, which makes your smile appear dulled and can leave you more vulnerable to cavities and tooth sensitivity.”

The bristles of your toothbrush will provide a good gauge of whether you are brushing too hard or not. If they are terribly frayed and/or become frayed quickly after purchase, then you are likely pushing down too hard. “Ease up on the pressure,” advise cosmetic dentistry practitioners in AZ.

In Conclusion…

Frequent and thorough brushing is absolutely essential to the maintenance of good oral health. By adhering to the advice provided by Sun City dental professionals in this two-part article series, and by reassessing your brushing habits, you can make the necessary changes to get the very most out of those few minutes you spend caring for your teeth every day.