Mouth To Mouth: Toothbrush Safety Tips

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By Mia Bolaris-Forget

I recently babysat for some friends of ours and remember stressing to the kids the need to brush their teeth before bed. And, by dh and I must have an “oral fixation” we don’t know about because we are fastidious about brushing not only in the morning and at night, but I actually brush after every meal.

Yet, know its come to my attention that we may be doing more “harm” than good. And you too may be in the same boat. In fact, if you find yourself with frequent colds and “illnesses” that don’t seem to want to go away, you may have your toothbrush to blame.

Experts suggest that each time we bush our teeth, we are actually introducing germs into our mouth, germs that have been making their home in our brush and that are the most common cause of recurring infection, colds, and gingivitis. And, according to experts, food and water are the bacteria’s main source of “nutrition”. But, while the kiddies may applaud the notion of banning brushing your/our teeth, experts and adults agree that hygienically speaking that’s far from a favorable option. Keep your brush clean by.

1. Keeping it safely stored: Think about it, most of us would cringe at storing clothes, food and utensils in the bathroom, yet, the one other item, that we place in our mouth, calls the washroom its home. They go on the add that each time the toilet is flushed, millions upon millions of germs are hurled into the atmosphere, most which find a comfortable home on our brushes. On the other hand, storing your toothbrush in the medicine cabinet offers little peace of mind since bacteria breed in the darkness, and plastic casings are ideal for the proliferation of moulds.

2. Change is good: While most of us hold on to our toothbrushes for months on end, professionals suggest replacing them every three months. In fact, ideally toothbrushes should be replaced every two weeks.

3. Opt for a soft scrub: Whether we choose brittle bristles or the become that way, experts suggest that they are notorious for cutting up our gums, allowing bacteria into our bloodstream. And, this also holds true for motorized toothbrushes. So, when you’re brushing think “soft and sweet”.

4. Never share and share alike: Make sure each member of your household has a colour-coded brush and always keep some spares on hand for (unexpected or unplanned for) guests.