With the pandemic still on our minds, it's really important to not only keep up good hand hygiene but good oral hygiene as well! Did you know that a single toothbrush can hold as many 1.2 million bacteria? That's a lot!
So how do you take care of your toothbrush and how often do you need to change them out? These are great questions! A healthy and clean toothbrush means a healthy child!
How can you take care of your child's toothbrush?
- After using the toothbrush, shake it vigorously under tap water and store it in an upright position so that it can air out
- Make sure the toothbrush dries between uses
- Keep the toothbrush from touching other toothbrushes when it is stored - you don't want to pass any germs or viruses between the brushes
- Plastic cases are great to protect the toothbrush bristles, but make sure to allow the toothbrush to dry in the open air to reduce the spread of germs
How often should you change your child's toothbrush?
- It is recommended to change your toothbrush every 3 months
- Studies have shown that after 3 months of normal wear and tear, the toothbrush becomes less effective at removing plaque from your child's teeth!
- Over time, bristles break down and lose their effectiveness at getting into all the tiny grooves on your child's teeth
- And super important! - if your child has had a cold, flu, mouth infection, or sore throat - change out the toothbrush! Germs can hide in the bristles and cause reinfection. We don't want your child to get sick again!
Keeping up the good habit of changing out your toothbrush often will not only keep your child's smile clean and bright, but also keeps your child healthy!
