The Shaggy Dog
Does your toothbrush resemble an English sheepdog? You know the kind right, one of those goofy dogs with hair in their eyes and a long tongue hanging out the side of their mouth. As cute as they are, if you look at your tooth brush and notice any similarities it might be time to change it.
Did you know you should be changing your toothbrush every three or four months? Some even come with an indicator on the bristles. The bristles change colour for a reason! Your toothbrush is your first line of defence when it comes to combating the bacteria that may cause bad breath, gum disease and potentially tooth decay.
Once the bristles are no longer straight they start to lose their cleaning efficacy meaning you may not be giving your mouth the clean you think you are.
Other reasons to regularly change your toothbrush include illness, if your toothbrush ends up cleaning a surface it's not intended for, this is especially important in the case of small children helping to clean with mummy’s toothbrush. Sharing a toothbrush is also not advisable, even if you love each other very much.
Keeping your toothbrush clean is just as important as keeping your teeth clean. I mean you can't clean a window with a dirty sponge. The same advice works for your mouth. After brushing, you should rinse your toothbrush under clean tap water, store it upright and ensure the heads do not touch each other.
When shopping for a new toothbrush, obviously pick one in your favourite colour, but also make sure you choose one with a small head and soft bristles. Don't let the thought of a more thorough clean tempt you into buying a hard bristled brush. Most people already use too much pressure when brushing so don't do more damage to your enamel by also using hard bristles.
If you are brushing regularly and by that we mean for 2 minutes twice a day, the plaque build up on your teeth will easily come off with a soft bristled brush and a gentle circular motion. Combine that with regular flossing and your smile will be beautiful for years to come. Keep the shaggy dog in the backyard and the fresh toothbrush in the bathroom.
