by
Lee Waring
| Nov 01, 2017
Autumn is here - using the seasons to know when to swap your brush
Many of us will have seasonal clear outs; we’ve all heard of a spring clean. But, does your toothbrush ever factor into this? You should change your toothbrush every three months, however the scary reality is most people wait three times that and change their brushes every nine months!
At mydentist, we want to help change this culture and think the easiest way to remember when to throw out your old brush is to follow the seasons! And with the clocks just going back, now is the perfect time to start your new cycle.
Think about it, your toothbrush is used twice daily and plunged into one of the dirtiest parts of the body; it’s probably not cleaned thoroughly and is usually stored under warm, moist conditions, which is perfect for bacterial growth. It’s no surprise dental professionals recommend changing every 3-4 months and even sooner if you’ve been poorly.
If you’re not sure when to change your brush, Colgate recommend: “When in doubt, look at the bristles. If they are frayed, they won't clean teeth as thoroughly. Because children often brush more rigorously than adults, they may need their toothbrushes replaced more often.”
The proper way to brush
Yes, there is an optimal way to brush your teeth, here’s what Colgate recommend:
- Place the toothbrush at a 45°angle along the gum line. Move the toothbrush in a back and forth motion, and repeat for each tooth
- Brush the inside surface of each tooth, using the same back and forth technique.
- Brush the chewing surface (top) of each tooth
- Use tip of brush to brush behind each tooth — front and back, top and bottom and up and down strokes.
- Be sure to brush your tongue to remove odor-causing bacteria
Once done, it’s important you rinse your brush thoroughly under tap water. The American Dental Association recommended storing the toothbrush vertically in an open space so they can dry properly.
To make purchasing your autumn brushes for your family easier, we’ve got some exclusive new offers on our Colgate range here