Brushing with Bacteria
Toothbrushes can be breeding grounds for germs, fungus and bacteria, which after a while can build up to significant levels.
It is recommended that you change your toothbrush every three months. It is also important to change toothbrushes after you've had a cold, the flu, a mouth infection or a sore throat. This is because germs can hide in toothbrush bristles and lead to infection. Also, studies show that airborne bacteria can move from toothbrush to toothbrush (and from other sources in the bathroom), and opportunistic infections, like periodontal disease and common colds/flu, can easily be passed from one person to another if toothbrushes are stored together.
How to keep it clean:
After brushing you should let your toothbrush dry in the open air or in a plastic case with proper ventilation, which helps to reduce the spread of germs. For those of you who are particularly concerned with sanitizing your toothbrush between changes, there are multiple products on the market that use either UV lights or dry steam technology to deep clean and sanitize those bristles. Please give Power Ranch Dental a call at (480) 988- 2282. We would be happy to schedule you an appointment and give you a new toothbrush!
