Do you know how many bacteria live on your toothbrush? Brace yourself! Researchers have found that a single toothbrush can be loaded with as many as 10 million germs and bacteria. In fact, recent studies even found that your toothbrush could be a breeding ground for tiny microorganisms.
But before you swear off brushing, know this: These bacteria aren’t a big threat to your pearly whites. According to Richard Price, DMD, a dentist in Newton, Mass. and a consumer adviser for the American Dental Association, the researchers who discovered those toothbrush-dwelling microorganisms found that they didn’t make people sick — toothpaste has an anti-germ component built into it, and the microbes need moisture to survive. So as long as your toothbrush is given time to dry after you use it, it should be safe.
To take care of your teeth and your toothbrush, it’s important to use your toothbrush the way you’re supposed to, rinse it in tap water, and then let it air dry, Price says.
This starts with storing your toothbrush in an upright position. Most people don’t need to worry about storing it away from other toothbrushes — germs are airborne, but they don’t hopscotch from one brush to another. However, if someone in the household has an immune deficiency, you can’t be too careful, says Price.
If you’re really fastidious about dental care, you can soak your toothbrush in alcohol to kill the germs, Price adds. Mouthwash is also an antiseptic, so it works as a “toothbrush soak,” too, as does a solution of half water and half hydrogen peroxide. Another option is to dip it in boiling water for about five to 10 seconds.
Interestingly enough, toothbrush sanitizers haven’t shown to have much effect. And you should never put your toothbrush in the dishwasher or microwave: You’ll just end up damaging it.
Time for a New Toothbrush?
The American Dental Association recommends getting a new toothbrush (or brush head, if you use an electric type) about every three months — more because of the wear on the bristles than germs.
And that depends on the brusher and not the brush, Price emphasizes. If you have a heavy hand, the bristles might wear out sooner. Remember that the key determinant is not the calendar but the shape the bristles are in. “You need to replace your toothbrush when the bristles spew in different directions,” Price says. Check your children’s toothbrushes regularly because they probably will need to be replaced more frequently.
Should you replace your toothbrush after an illness, like a cold? No, says Price. Just be sure it dries out between uses so that germs can’t survive.
Some toothbrushes have bristles that change colors to indicate they’ve worn out (a glaring reminder it’s time to buy a new brush).
You can also develop the habit of changing your toothbrush with every check-up (provided you see your dentist every six months) and then again midway before the next appointment. Or try timing the change to the first day of every season — and remember: To every toothbrush, there is a season.
Dr Alldritt said it was particularly alarming to find those who were aware of the Dentists are warning high levels of sugar and acids in many sports drinks can have a harmful impact on a person’s oral health.
Australian Dental Association [ADA] committee chair Dr Peter Alldritt said players should stick to water to avoid erosion and tooth decay.
“People sometimes drink sports drinks thinking they are healthier than a soft drink,” he said.
An ADA survey of 1,200 Australians revealed over 50 per cent of adults and around 30 per cent of children consume sports drinks every week, unaware of the health risks.
dangers still continued to consume the drinks.
He said Australia is recording higher levels of dental diseases than ever before.
In Australia, 50 per cent of children and three out of 10 adults have untreated tooth decay.
Exercise physiologist Robert Skeat said while sports drinks can help restore electrolyte imbalance, water is the healthiest way to hydrate.
“The high levels of sodium in these drinks leaves you thirsty and the sugar makes them easier to drink,” he said.
Dental Health Week begins today with a focus on the oral health habits of active Australians.
Dr Alldritt said it was important to protect teeth from sporting injury by wearing a custom-made mouth guard.
He added it was not case of one-size-fits-all and warned generic guards could cause more damage to a person’s teeth.
“Seventy-five per cent of the people we surveyed are just buying a mouth guard over the counter at a sports store or pharmacy,” he said.
Sports Medicine Australia is currently urging sporting organisations to commit to a no mouth guard, no play policy.
Teenagers can be tough on their teeth. They may be so busy with school, jobs, sports and social activities that they don’t find time to brush. They also tend to eat a lot of junk food. Combine the two and you’ve got a situation ripe for tooth decay. Not surprisingly, many teenagers develop a lot of cavities.
Encourage your teenager to take good care of his or her teeth. This means brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. Teenagers care a lot about how they look. Help your teen understand that bad oral hygiene can lead to stains, bad breath, missing teeth and many other dental problems.
Have plenty of oral health-care supplies on hand. Keep soft toothbrushes, colored or flavored floss (or plastic flossers) and good- tasting toothpaste out in the bathroom. You can even keep them in the kitchen for quick use when teens are in a hurry.
Don’t buy junk food. Instead, keep lots of fruits and vegetables in the house for snacking.