Is Your Toothbrush Making You Sick?
Just about everyone knows that you should change the oil in your car's engine at least every three months or 6,000 km's, but how many of us are mindless when it comes to maintaining and changing our toothbrushes?
Under normal conditions, you should replace your individual toothbrushes every three months because they can harbor harmful bacteria that can cause infection such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Moreover, toothbrushes stored in the warm, steamy environment of a bathroom (one of the most contaminated areas of the home) can harbor germs that can prolong sore throats and oral infections.
While not asubstitute for quarterly toothbrush replacement, soaking your toothbrush in an anti-microbial mouthwash for at least 30 minutes after each use can help to cleanse your toothbrush.
Alternatively, you might consider cleaning your toothbrushes in the dishwasher after every use. If each family member has 3 or 4 personally color-coded toothbrushes to rotate in case the dishwasher doesn't get unloaded in time for their next brushing, a clean toothbrush will always be handy. Remember, everyone should have their own toothbrush, never share toothbrushes.
Next time you load up on cough medicine and sinus pills, preparing for the onslaught of another cold, remember to add afew new toothbrushes to your shopping list.
When you're ill, it's likely that your toothbrush will show signs of the infecting organism. Germs left on your toothbrush can cause recurring colds and sore throats. To avoid catching the same cold over and over again, change your toothbrush at the first sign of a cold and then change it again as soon as you regain your health.
Germs can thrive in dense toothbrushes especially those with soft bristles, and not surprisingly, they also linger on toothbrush handles. Studies have shown everything from candida albicans (a yeast-like infection) to herpes simplex virus (cold sores) alive and well on toothbrushes as long as seven days after use, even within the bristles themselves.
This means the chances of reinfecting yourself are pretty good, especially if you're accustomed to brushing vigorously because small abrasions on the inner cheeks and gums can allow new access for viruses.
If the bristles on your toothbrush are looking frayed, it's time to toss the brush because ragged bristles can't effectively fight plaque, and bent bristles can damage the soft gum tissue surrounding the teeth. When buying anew toothbrush, opt for soft bristles as opposed to the hard ones that can damage gums and teeth.
May 3, 2010Dental News0
