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Is It Time to Say Goodbye to Your Toothbrush?
Next time you’re about to brush your teeth, take a good look at your toothbrush. Does it look right? Is it time for a new one? How do you know? At my dental office in Douglasville, we’re here to help you determine when it’s time to replace your old toothbrush and why it’s important.
How Long Does a Toothbrush Last?
According to American Dental Association, a toothbrush is typically in good working order for about three-to-four months. Around this time, it’s common to notice signs that it’s time for your toothbrush to go.
Trash it or Keep it?
There are telltale signs it’s time to trash your toothbrush. If you’re coming up on that three-to-four month checkpoint, take some time to exam the bristles. Are they frayed? Discolored? Smushed? Jagged and pointing every which way? If your toothbrush is starting to resemble modern art, it has seen better days. It’s time to get a new one.
Sometimes your brush may appear to be in good working order, but you just battled a vicious cold. Again, toss it. Bacteria may linger around on the bristles. It’s best to start fresh following any sickness. But if you start to see the signs of a worn out toothbrush before the three or four month mark,you’re probably brushing too hard. Ease up a bit.
Why is This Important?
Toothbrushes are specifically designed to reach the nooks and crannies of your teeth gently and effectively. When the bristles get all cockeyed and frayed, the toothbrush isn’t doing it’s best job and leaves you at increased risk for dental problems.
How to Care for Your New One.
Once you’ve got a shiny new toothbrush, it’s important to care for it properly. Follow the tips below to keep your toothbrush in tip-top shape:
- Don’t share your toothbrush. Ever.
- Thoroughly rinse it after each use.
- Don’t store it in a container. Air drying is best.
In addition to taking proper care of your toothbrush, using it twice a day, and replacing it when necessary, it’s also crucial to maintain regular appointments at my Douglasville dental office. Professional cleanings help to remove debris and bacteria your regular toothbrush can’t reach. If you’re in need of a new dentist, or it’s been awhile since we saw you last, give us a call!
Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.
“Help! I have a Dental Emergency”
While you’re gearing up to head out on summer vacation this year, you’ll probably pack a bunch of first-aid items, extra clothes, and a load of medication because you can’t be too careful. Anything can happen at anytime. But what do you do if you have a dental emergency while away? At my Douglasville dental office, we’re happy to provide you some tips to take with you.
A Knocked Out Tooth
If this happens, whether on vacation or not, the first thing you should do is remain calm. Second, make sure there are no other serious injuries. Once you confirm all is well, you can start to work on saving that tooth — but only if the tooth is permanent. If a baby tooth is lost, make sure to schedule a visit as soon as possible upon your return to make sure no permanent teeth were damaged. If the lost tooth is permanent, and assuming both the roots and the crown were knocked out, try the following steps:
- Only touch the top of the tooth to limit damage to the roots.
- Gently rinse it with water.
- Attempt to insert it back into the socket.
- Control any bleeding with gauze.
- Call a dentist as soon as possible.
If you’re unable to get the tooth back into the socket, put the tooth in some milk or a cup of your spit — never store it in water! Then get to a dentist immediately.
Chips and Breaks
An unpopped popcorn kernel, a fall, or using teeth to open packaging can cause a tooth to chip or break. Again, don’t panic. Simply rinse your mouth with warm water to gently wash away any lingering particles. If you’re bleeding, gently apply gauze and use pressure until the bleeding stops.
Pesky Toothaches
Toothaches are usually the mouth’s way of saying, “Hey! Something’s not right in here!” And it’s important to listen. When toothaches happen, the best thing to do is schedule an appointment as soon as you can. But if you’re on vacation, try clove oil or rinsing with warm salt water (1 tsp. sea salt per 8 oz. of water). Cloves have natural anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties, while salt water can limit swelling and help kill dangerous bacteria.
Emergencies of any kind are no fun, especially if they interrupt a vacation. If you do experience a dental emergency while away, give my dental office in Douglasville a call as soon as you return. We’ll want to ensure the problem is no longer active and if it is, we will work with you to treat it comfortably .
Accepting patients from Douglasville, Lithia Springs, and Villa Rica.