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Posted on 11/25/2019 by Dr. Frank K. Sioda |
 Your toothbrush is the most important tool in the fight against the bacteria in your mouth. Toothbrushes work by breaking up bacterial colonies in your mouth and removing them from the surfaces of your teeth, so the bacteria will not build up and eat away at your teeth. We all know that a toothbrush should be changed once every couple of months after it starts to wear out, but are there any other times that it may be necessary to pick a new one up at the store? Why You Might Need to Get a New ToothbrushIf your toothbrush is in good condition, you may wonder why it is necessary to change it out. You may need to change a toothbrush while you are sick as to avoid increasing the length of time spent sick. Besides the bacteria that are normally in our mouths, the disease that make us sick can find your mouth pretty cozy as well. When you brush your teeth while sick, your toothbrush will pick up the disease-causing microorganisms and stay there. These can live outside your mouth and the next time you brush, they could reenter your mouth causing you to stay sick for longer or even get sicker. If you live with someone and your toothbrushes are next to each other, it is important to replace both brushes as the non-sick person may also become ill. Another reason you may need to change your toothbrush even if it does not look worn is the airborne disease carried around your house. In recent studies, it has been found that many toothbrushes contained e-coli. E-coli is a nasty bacterium that is found in human feces. The e-coli found on toothbrushes typically dies before you brush your teeth, but sometimes it can stick around. If you keep your toothbrush near the toilet, you may want to reconsider its location and swap it out for a fresher one. If you have any more questions about toothbrushes and how to care for them, please call our office. We have a lot of information regarding safe toothbrush keeping and all kinds of important dental hygiene information. Let us know if you have any concerns about your toothbrush, and we will be happy to assist you. |
 Talk to one of our caring patient coordinators today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Frank Sioda 18676 Willamette Dr. Suite 202 West Linn, OR 97068-1718 |
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