This article discusses 8 interesting facts about your teeth and general dental health.

Most of what we know and learn about dental health and oral healthcare we have learned from our parents. While dentists in Colorado Springs do their best to promote a greater awareness of oral health, there are still plenty of wives’ tales doing the rounds. Few of us question these myths; the majority of us follow them like lemmings off a cliff. But, the one thing we all seem to have in common is that dental healthcare is not something we pay much attention to outside of our twice-daily brushes. So, in order to expand your knowledge on the tools you rely on so heavily for eating, speaking and looking debonair, here are 8 dental facts about your teeth and general dental health, courtesy of dentists in Colorado Springs.

1. Keeping your toothbrush in a container is actually hygienically detrimental, explain dentists in Colorado Springs. It traps moisture and sets up a warm and humid environment ideal for the growth of bacteria.

2. You should keep your toothbrush as far away from the toilet as possible, stress dentists in Colorado Springs. Every time you flush, it sends out a spray of airborne germs and other unspeakable particles, which can settle on the bristles of your toothbrush. Most bathrooms are small, so if you can’t keep your toothbrush more than 6 feet away from the toilet, get into the habit of putting it away in a cabinet, say dentists in Colorado Springs.

3. In 1498, China manufactured the first bristled toothbrush. The bristles themselves came from the hair of hogs, badgers and horses. Don’t worry though… since then, commercial manufacturers (the first of which sprang up in 1938) have gone on to use synthetic fibers.

4. According to dentists in Colorado Springs, 75% of the entire population of America presents with some form or stage of periodontal disease; an acute and chronic oral bacterial infection of the gums.

5. If you drink three or more glasses of juice or soda a day, you are at a 62% greater risk of cavities and tooth decay than other people. Decay, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Having a can of soda may seem harmless, but the amount of sugar and acid in these thirst-quenchers really puts a strain on your oral health, warn dentists in Colorado Springs. Especially if you drink them frequently.

6. Toothpaste can be delicious, especially those bubble-gum flavored ones you had when you were a kid. But did you know that toothpastes, when swallowed regularly, can cause fluoride toxicity? Best to teach your kids to spit after a good brush, advise dentists in Colorado Springs.

7. If you don’t replace your toothbrush after a bout of flu, you can actually re-infect yourself. Stubborn germs can remain in the bristles of your toothbrush, so it’s always best to change them after a run in with illness, say dentists in Colorado Springs. In fact, you should be changing your toothbrush every three to four months as a rule.

8. Newborn babies do not carry the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay in their pink little mouths. Bacteria are generally transmitted from mother to child. The modes of transmission are kisses, sharing food, blowing on hot food before giving it to your child, etc. There’s no way you can really prevent it, say dentists in Colorado Springs, so make sure you maintain excellent oral hygiene and teach your kids about it from as young an age as possible.