Many studies conducted measuring the cleanliness of toothbrushes conclude that all of the presently available types of toothbrushes have the ability to be infected by a wide range of microorganisms, including viruses which can cause sicknesses from the common cold to even pneumonia.
Every time you place your toothbrush in your mouth, it becomes contaminated with oral microbial organisms. Viruses and bacteria from an infected person’s mouth can live for weeks on toothbrushes and can continue to cause illness. Also, normal healthy oral bacteria can cause infection if it enters your gum tissue through an injured gum or oral ulcer. Plus, your toothbrush may introduce harmful organisms into your mouth right out of the box since there is no requirement for them to be sold in sterile packaging!
You may think your are “cleaning” your toothbrush every time you brush because you wet it, but that is not enough to really keep your toothbrush from spreading germs. The following are tips for preventing your toothbrush from making you sick:
We all face a great number of bacteria, viruses and ways to contract sicknesses every day. Get in the habit of caring for your toothbrush properly and it will not make you sick.
Dr. Finlay emphasizes the benefits of routine dental care– this provides us the opportunity to spot developing dental problems early on and educate our patients on good at home oral hygiene practices. If you have questions or concerns about your oral health and how best to maintain it, ask us at your next visit to our Arnold dentist office.
Have you suffered from tooth loss? Missing teeth can pose a major threat to your…
About half of adults in the United States will suffer from gum disease, an infection…
Dental implants are a comprehensive, highly beneficial treatment that can replace missing teeth. With implant…
We begin attending routine dental appointments with our dentists as soon as we grow our…
You can face a number of complications with the look, feel, and structure of your…
Dental disease, trauma, or congenital conditions can cause cosmetic damage, impacting your smile and your…