Mistakes You Might Be Making With Your Toothbrush

Even though a toothbrush can serve as a trusted tool, it can sometimes cause more harm than good when it isn’t maintained or used properly. Many people even make the mistake of throwing out a perfectly good toothbrush because of a major mistake or because they just feel that something isn’t quite right with that they bought. Knowing what mistakes to avoid when handling a toothbrush can help pave the way to better dental hygiene and spare you from making too many unnecessary trips to the store.

Using A Toothbrush For Too Long

You might have noticed that your once tough and solid toothbrush can sometimes feel much softer and frayed the longer you use it. Like any piece of equipment, the bristles of a toothbrush can’t survive against wear and tear forever. After around 200 uses, the bristles don’t become as great at reaching into all corners of the teeth and removing debris as they used to.

A toothbrush has an average lifespan of about 3 months. Using a brush that’s way past its expiration date can expose the teeth and gums to even more bacteria instead of keeping them clean and healthy. Bacteria is less likely to stick to the fine bristles of a newer toothbrush so long as you wash it after use, while the frayed bristles of an older toothbrush can become prime environments for bacteria to grow and thrive even when rinsed with water.

Covering Up The Toothbrush Head

Do you leave your toothbrush head exposed or do you use the cover that came with it? You might think that covering up your toothbrush head can better protect and maintain it, but it can actually prove to be more dangerous than you think. When you cover the bristles of a toothbrush just after use, you’re actually trapping excess moisture inside. This can lead to the growth and proliferation of bacteria since a moist environment is the perfect place for them to thrive. As a result, your toothbrush can end up worsening the state of your teeth and gums, and increase the likelihood of plaque or gingivitis.

A better way to keep your toothbrush clean and bacteria-free is to leave the head open and exposed for at least 12 hours. That way, excess moisture can dry up and bacteria won’t have any place to grow. If you still wish to keep it well protected from bathroom germs or nasty airborne microorganisms, let it dry out a bit and keep it inside a medicine cabinet instead.

Using Bristles That Can Harm Your Teeth

Harder doesn’t always mean better when it comes to a toothbrush. Using excessively stiff or hard toothbrushes can scrub away not only dirt but also enamel and other important parts of your teeth. Brushing with the wrong bristles causes just as much damage as a normal cavity would. It can result in hypersensitive teeth and gums, as well as create tiny ridges where bacteria can stick and thrive.

Soft-bristled toothbrushes are much better and safer to use. They can do a better job of cleaning the teeth and gums without causing any unnecessary harm. They can also better adjust to the natural contours of your teeth and dig dirt out instead of only cleaning a few spots on the surface.

A great toothbrush can help you keep your teeth healthy and clean, but it can’t always do the job alone. Bristles can sometimes leave behind dirt and bacteria in places behind and between the teeth, leaving you vulnerable to painful cavities and other dental diseases. You don’t have to fret, though. With a high-quality dental scaler, you can continue where your toothbrush left off and remove any nasties left behind. We offer a wonderful dental scaler that you can always rely on any time, anywhere. Check out our online store and enjoy healthier, cleaner teeth with just one click.

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