So About That Toothbrush We Give You

I had a very interesting conversation with one of my patients yesterday. I was wrapping up his six month hygiene exam and we started talking about toothbrushes. With a big smile on his face he declared "I love getting my toothbrushes from you, that way I don't have to buy my own". I must have had a perplexed look on my face because he followed up with "do I have to change them more frequently?"
In general you want to change out your toothbrush at least every three months, more often if you are a heavy handed brusher or you get sick with a cold or the flu. Old toothbrushes with worn bristles will not clean your teeth as effectively and can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. If you get sick, it is recommended to store your toothbrush away from those of other family members and replace it as soon the illness subsides.
As for daily toothbrush care, a few good habits will assure your toothbrush doesn’t turn into a high school biology experiment. Don’t forget that cavities and gum disease all originate from bacteria; every family member should have their own age appropriate toothbrush, no sharing! Washing your hands before and after brushing will avoid transferring bacteria from other parts of the bathroom onto your toothbrush (for that matter make sure you keep your brush stored as far away from the toilet as possible. Studies have shown that flushing a toilet will send bacteria flying up to six feet from the edge of the toilet bowl). Soak the brush in an antiseptic mouthrinse after brushing and store it upright to let it air dry before using it again. If you use an electric toothbrush with interchangeable heads make sure each family member gets their own.
On a side note, I always recommend soft bristled brushes with a small brush head, medium and hard bristled brushes can damage your teeth even when used with a light touch. This is especially important for electric toothbrushes since strong pressure combined with an oscillating motion quickly traumatizes the gums, possibly leading to irreversible gum recession and enamel wear. And no matter which kind of toothbrush you have, use it twice daily for at least two minutes.