{"id":59,"date":"2020-03-11T01:40:59","date_gmt":"2020-03-11T01:40:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stephenscitydental.com\/blog\/?p=59"},"modified":"2020-04-17T01:41:08","modified_gmt":"2020-04-17T01:41:08","slug":"stephens-city-dentist-disinfecting-toothbrush-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stephenscitydental.com\/blog\/2020\/03\/11\/stephens-city-dentist-disinfecting-toothbrush-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep Your Smile Germ-Free by Disinfecting Your Toothbrush"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Clean<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When was the last time you took a good look at your\ntoothbrush? Even though we use it twice a day, most of us don\u2019t think about the\ncondition of this common cleaning device. However, the American Dental\nAssociation indicates that bacteria could be growing inside those bristles if you\nare not intentional about how you store and clean your toothbrush. Read on as your\nStephens\nCity dentist<\/a> goes over the best ways to disinfect your toothbrush and\nprotect your happy, healthy smile!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What Happens if I Don\u2019t Keep My Toothbrush Clean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every mouth is naturally full of bacteria. Brushing your\nteeth with fluoridated toothpaste helps keep them in check and your mouth\nhealthy. However, some of that bacteria stays on your toothbrush even after you\nrinse it off. These microbial organisms can live on the surface of the bristles\nfor weeks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thankfully, the ADA reports that there\u2019s not enough evidence\nto support the idea that this bacterium can cause serious health concerns.\nHowever, bacteria thrive in warm, damp, and dark environments, which could be\nyour toothbrush if you keep it in a cabinet or use a toothbrush cover. While\nyour immune system should be able to combat these microorganisms easily, some\ndental experts say the abundance of bacteria could lead to infection if you\nhave an injury or sore in your mouth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Should I Care for My Toothbrush?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hopefully, you already rinse your toothbrush off after every\nuse. To keep it in great shape, you should also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n