How To Properly Store Your Toothbrush

The ways in which your toothbrush is cleaned and stored are in direct relation to your oral health. Maximizing toothbrush cleanliness will minimize bacteria.

The doctors and the oral healthcare professionals at My Dental Clinic, located near you in Calgary, Alberta, want to educate their patients, current and new, on the ways to properly clean and store your toothbrush between uses.

Don’t Share Your Toothbrush

The sharing of your toothbrush with others exposes both to the bacteria and the germs of the other and increases the chances for infection. In addition, every toothbrush should have its own storage container when traveling.

Thoroughly Rinse Your Toothbrush After Every Use

A toothbrush needs a thorough rinsing, as does the mouth, after every use. A rinse under running water will remove excess toothpaste and any food particles from the bristles.

Store the Toothbrush in an Open-Aired Container and not a Sealed One

A wet toothbrush stored in a sealed container is a favorable environment for germs and bacteria to flourish. After brushing, the toothbrush needs fresh air to be completely dry for its next use.

Soak Your Toothbrush in Anti-Bacterial Mouthwash After Use

The saturation of the bristles in an antiseptic mouth rinse after use is a sure way to eliminate any bacteria and germs remaining on the bristles.

Change Your Toothbrush Every 3 Months

When the bristles of a toothbrush begin to bend, wear and fray, the brush becomes less effective in cleaning the teeth and removing plaque and food particles. It is good practice to replace a toothbrush every 3 months and, regardless of the age of the brush, it should always be replaced after you have been sick.

These simple, common sense steps on the care and storage of your toothbrush will have a positive effect on your oral care regimen. A toothbrush stored in an upright position, in open air after rinsing, will allow it to completely dry without any remnants of food particles and bacteria from the last use.

The oral healthcare professionals at My Dental Clinic are trusted and highly recommended. They have dedicated their careers to the delivery of general dental treatments and cosmetic procedures to those in the Calgary area.

Please make an appointment with My Dental Clinic for a consultation on your oral healthcare needs.