The mouth has over 700 different strains of bacteria and after you brush your teeth, your toothbrush is contaminated with all of the bacteria. Yuck!!! Also, if you leave your toothbrush on the bathroom counter, bacteria as well as dust in the air floats and lands on your brush. Extra Yuck!! It is a good idea to keep your toothbrush in a cupboard if possible where the brush can dry, but is not contaminated with bacteria from the air. Research is showing that one should change their toothbrush at least every 2-3 months to help reduce bacterial load in the mouth. One should also change their brush after they recover from either a cold or flu, to prevent recontamination of the bacteria/virus causing sickness. For all our patients having orthodontic treatment with either braces or Invisalign, you should change your brush more frequently again… likely once a month!!
Blog courtesy AM – Orthodontic hygienist at *Orthodontists on the River*
WORKS CITED
Darby M. L & Walsh M. M (2010 )Dental Hygiene Theory and Practice (3rd ed.) Canada: Elseveir
Google Images (n.d)
Wendy J. Woudstra (2015) Oral Bacteria: What Lives In Your Mouth?
