speaking Toothbrush Care! Six Tips for the New Year.
Felicitations Kamloops! 2015 has arrived in cahoots with another year full of resolutions! I spent a lovely New Years up at Sun Peaks with my boys Dr. Preety Desai braving the frigid yet brilliant mountain tops of our ski hill. All of my boys, and yes including the husband, forgot to pack their toothbrushes for the couple of nights and apparently it was my fault - evidently I am the resident “toothbrush packer”. So being the diligent parent and responsible oral caretaker, I strolled over to the local market and purchased 3 multi coloured brushes before the night was out. The owner/ cashier started to laugh, “What’s your new year’s resolution…… promising to brush more in 2015?” I was dumbstruck! A dental joke from a non dentist! He did not know I was a dentist and I startled to chuckle, suggesting that there was such a meager selection of oral care products and he pointed out that it was apparently the bestselling item! On the subject of toothbrushes, electric or manual, you probably have no idea what manner of life is procreating on your brush’s bristles. The mouth is home to over 500 species of pathogens and microbiota including yeasts, parasites, intestinal and coliform bacteria and yes ….. fecal germs! Toothbrushes are located in one’s bathroom exposing the bristles to aerosol effects from toilet flushing or enteric bacteria which can transfer to toothbrushes and into people’s mouths due to inadequate hand-washing. “Mythbusters” even tested 24 toothbrushes and found enteric microorganisms on all of them -- even those that had not been inside of a bathroom. So what are the best ways to avoid all this?: 1. Clean your brush. Rinse with hot water after brushing to remove any remaining saliva, toothpaste and debris. I also throw them in the dishwasher especially when the kids were young 2. Storage. Upright and dry is the best and inside a cupboard. Never use a closed container because damp environments are more conducive to the growth of microorganisms. If more than one brush is stored in an area, keeping them separate to prevent cross-contamination. 3. Buy a new brush often. Toothbrushes should be replaced at least every 2-3 months and way before bristles become frayed and worn and of course when they are splayed…… that is way too late 4. Don’t share! Especially married couples. This seems like a no-brainer, but many spouses may or may not admit to “borrowing” the other’s brush but this also means they are also borrowing and sharing the bacteria on those brushes - think what happens when one spouse is sick! 5. Get a new brush if you’ve been sick. All microorganisms can be transferred to your bristles and thus replacement of the toothbrush after an illness is mandatory 6. Washing your hands after using the toilet and prior to using your toothbrush is of course vital and mandatory So Kamloops, remember these hints for the new year and especially remember to pack your toothbrush (and floss) when travelling so you don’t have to beg, borrow, buy, or steal another’s!
t. 778.471.6001
a. 101-775 McGill Rd, Kamloops
www.kamloopsperiodontist.com