Choosing and Caring for Your Toothbrush Your Toothbrush Is the Most Important Using an Electric Toothbrush for the First Item in Your Oral Health Toolkit

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From the office of: Marc Malatesta, DDS 3770 Mount Read Blvd I Fact Sheet Toothbrushes I Rochester, NY 14616-3436 (585) 865-7030 Choosing and Caring for Your Toothbrush Your toothbrush is the most important using an electric toothbrush for the first item in your oral health toolkit. But with time may experience slight bleeding from such a wide variety of toothbrushes the gums, which will subside over time. available, how do you choose the brush Children age 10 and younger should that’s best for you? And once you’ve be supervised while using an electric made your selection, how do you care for toothbrush. and clean your toothbrush? Learn how to improve your oral health care habits How often should I change by properly selecting and caring for my toothbrush? your toothbrush. Old toothbrushes with worn and frayed bristles will not clean your teeth What should I look for when effectively, and they also may harbor choosing a toothbrush? harmful bacteria. You should change The best toothbrushes have a long, wide your toothbrush—or brush head, in the How should I store my handle that facilitates a firm grip. The case of an electric toothbrush—every toothbrush? toothbrush head should be small enough three to four months. However, if you Store your toothbrush upright and let it to reach all areas of the mouth, with soft get sick with a cold or the flu, you will air dry before using it again. Microorgan- nylon bristles that won’t hurt the gums. need to change your toothbrush as soon isms are more likely to grow in a moist as the illness begins and again once environment, so don’t cover your tooth- Should I use an electric the illness has subsided. This will help brush or store it in a closed container. toothbrush? to get rid of any germs and bacteria on Because bacteria can travel easily from Electric toothbrushes, which use an oscil- your toothbrush. brush to brush, don’t store your tooth- lating or rotary motion to clean the teeth, brush in the same container as someone are beneficial because they can cover a How can I keep my toothbrush else’s. Finally, keep your toothbrush as far larger area of the mouth faster than a clean? away from the toilet as possible to avoid manual toothbrush. They’re especially Wash your hands both before and after contamination from the airborne bacteria well-suited for those with braces, those brushing to avoid transferring bacteria that are released with each flush. who need extra motivation to brush, and and food particles to your toothbrush. those who have difficulty operating a After brushing, rinse your toothbrush Talk to your dentist if you have ques- manual toothbrush due to age, disability, thoroughly to remove excess toothpaste tions about choosing or caring for your or other factors. and other debris, and soak the brush in toothbrush. No matter which kind of If you use an electric toothbrush, avoid antiseptic mouthrinse to eliminate any lin- toothbrush you have, make sure to brush pressing down too hard; instead, use gering bacteria. Remember: Never share your teeth for two minutes twice a day light force and slow movements, letting toothbrushes, as this habit can lead to and visit the dentist regularly to maintain the brush do the work for you. Those the transmission of colds and/or bacteria. good oral health.

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The AGD is a member of the Partnership for Healthy Mouths, Healthy Lives, a first-of-its-kind national dental coalition composed of 35 leading dental health organizations. Look for more information about the Kids’ Healthy Mouths campaign at www.2min2x.org.