Toothbrush Care

Toothbrushes are essential tools for removing decay-causing bacteria and their food sources. But how do you clean the tool you use for cleaning? And how do you know when you need a replacement? At Kidz Connextion in Phoenix, our patients receive a toothbrush with each regular appointment, but if they’re using them properly, they’ll need to switch toothbrushes more frequently than that. Fortunately, taking care of a toothbrush is usually easy.

 

Each time a toothbrush is used, it should be run under tap water afterward to rinse away some of the bacteria and debris it accumulates. Following that, it should be allowed to air dry in an upright position. Leaving toothbrushes inside travel caps will keep them damp, allowing mold to grow on them. Putting them in an upright position will allow moisture to drain out of them, and keeping them in separated holders will prevent cross-contamination. Besides avoiding contact with other people’s toothbrushes, your child may want to keep their toothbrushes separate if they have different ones for their teeth and oral appliances such as retainers and mouthguards. Plastic sometimes requires gentler toothpaste than enamel, and grit leftover in a toothbrush could leave scratches in a retainer.

 

A toothbrush will need to be replaced when it flares outward too much to reach into crevices between the teeth. This typically happens after about three months of use, regardless of whether it is manual or electric. However, if the user has recently suffered a nasal or respiratory infection, they should dispose of the toothbrush after recovering. Toothbrushes also need to be replaced if they become warped or damaged in a way that would allow mold to colonize cracks in their handles. For this reason, we recommend not running toothbrushes in the dishwasher or storing them anywhere they could easily melt.

Kidz Connextion has three convenient locations in Phoenix, Arizona. To schedule an appointment at 2533 N 75th St, text 623-232-0749. For our office at 2046 N 24th St, text 480-666-5984. For our office at 524 E Baseline Rd, text 480-405-4714. Or, visit Kidz Connextion on our website.