How Dirty Is Your Toothbrush?

Did you know that the average toothbrush can contain more than 10 million bacteria, including E. coli and Staph? Did you also know that you can avoid the spread of those germs by regularly cleaning your toothbrush? It is recommended that you change your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three months or after you have been sick to avoid the spread of germs. However, cleaning your toothbrush regularly can remove other harmful bacteria that can potentially jeopardize your oral health. Now more than ever, it is crucially important to take appropriate safety measures and avoid the spread of germs and viruses. To help you keep your toothbrush germ-free, we have compiled a list of the safest and most effective ways you can clean your toothbrush (and keep it clean) at home.

Clean Your Toothbrush with Mouthwash

Soak your toothbrush in a cup of antibacterial mouthwash – mouthwash containing alcohol will kill off more of the bacteria. Stir the bristled end of your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head around for 30 seconds, this will loosen any food particles, hardened toothpaste or germs from the last use.

Clean Your Toothbrush with Baking Soda

Soak your toothbrush in a cup of water with 2 teaspoons of baking soda. Baking soda has antibacterial activity and has been found to kill bacteria that is a major contributor to tooth decay. However, baking soda may be ineffective against fighting salmonella, E. coli and Staph, and has been linked to destroying the oral microbiome, which many dental professionals deem counterproductive to achieving optimal oral health.

Clean Your Toothbrush with Vinegar

Although this biodegradable alternative cannot kill dangerous bacteria like Staph, vinegar can be an effective disinfectant against some bacteria and viruses, including the flu. Stir the bristled end of your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head in a cup of vinegar for 30 seconds to breakdown and remove food proteins, bacteria and hardened toothpaste.

Clean Your Toothbrush with Hydrogen Peroxide

Keep your toothbrush is a 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution – mix 1 teaspoon of Hydrogen Peroxide in 1 cup of water. Make sure that you use enough solution to cover the head of the toothbrush and change the solution daily for an effective clean. Remember, Hydrogen Peroxide has antimicrobial properties but can be harmful and should only be used at concentrations lower than 3% to disinfect.

Clean Your Toothbrush with Denture Cleaner

Sanitize your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head by soaking it in a cup of water with a denture cleaner tablet. These antibacterial cleaning products work by breaking down food protein and bacteria deposits, and loosening particles stuck between the bristles. These cleansers are formulated for oral use, so this is a safer disinfectant option if you are wary about using Hydrogen Peroxide or other solutions.

Clean Your Toothbrush in Your Dishwasher

Disinfect your toothbrush by putting it in your dishwasher either with your utensils or on the top rack. If you are using an electric toothbrush and wish to clean your toothbrush head in the dishwasher, place it in a dishwasher-safe case to ensure their stability during the cycle.

Tips to Keep Your Toothbrush Clean

  • Wash your hands with soap before and after touching your toothbrush. This is a safe way to avoid potentially spreading anything to or from your mouth.
  • Rinse your toothbrush before and after every use by holding it under hot water. This will soften the bristles and release any particles from the last use.
  • Store your toothbrush inches away from other toothbrushes. Shared toothbrush holders are often too small for safe storing.
  • Keep your toothbrush far away from the toilet and always flush the toilet with the top lid down, to minimize the spread of airborne bacteria particles.
  • Air dry your toothbrush by shaking the excess water from the bristles and storing it upright. Storing your toothbrush head down places the bristles in residue at the bottom of the toothbrush holder and allows for bacteria from the handle to drip down onto the bristles.
  • Clean your toothbrush holder regularly using soap and water or any of the recommended toothbrush cleaning techniques above.
  • Hold your toothbrush away from the tip of your toothpaste tube or pump to reduce the chances of cross-contaminating your toothbrush or toothpaste.
  • Only place a toothbrush cover or protector on a dry toothbrush to safeguard from airborne or hand-held germs.

 

Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day is very important. The cleanliness of your toothbrush is equally important when it comes to the quality of brush your smile is getting. To maintain optimal oral health at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, be sure to clean your teeth with a fresh, soft-bristled toothbrush every day.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

How To Conduct An Oral Cancer Self-Exam

Every year in April, Oral Cancer Awareness Month helps bring attention to the disease and highlights the importance of regular oral cancer screenings. Although it is recommended that your visit your dental team regularly for in-clinic exams, at-home oral cancer self-examinations should be conducted monthly. Now that you can’t visit a professional for an exam, we have put together a step-by-step guide for examining your own mouth at home.

You Will Need:

  • Hand soap
  • Flashlight
  • Small mirror
  • Piece of gauze
  • Wall mirror

Step 1: Wash your hands properly for 20 seconds with hand soap.

Step 2: Check both sides of your face and neck in the mirror, they should look the same.

Step 3: Look for any changes in skin colour, moles that have changed, lumps or sores on your face and neck.

Step 4: Gently feel both sides of your jaw and neck using your fingertips looking for bumps, lumps and sore spots.

Step 5: Place your fingers over your “Adam’s apple” and swallow. It should move up and down, not side to side. Record any hoarseness that lasts longer than two weeks.

Step 6: Remove any orthodontic appliances or dentures from your mouth.

Step 7: Using clean hands, check the inside of your mouth with a clean flashlight and small mirror.

Step 8: Examine the roof of your mouth for changes in colour or lumps. Gently press against the roof of your mouth using your index finger. Record any colour changes or feel.

Step 9: Using your index finger, check the floor of your mouth. Record any colour changes, feel or change in mouth shape.

Step 10: Using a piece of gauze, pull out your tongue. Examine all sides, feel your tongue with clean fingers, and record any colour changes, feel or swelling.

Step 11: Examine your gums. Gently run your index finger over your upper and lower gums. Record any colour changes, bumps, lumps or tenderness that last longer than 14 days.

Step 12: Gently flip your upper lip up and then your lower lip down to check for bumps, lumps or colour changes. Use your index finger and thumb to gently pinch your lips and cheeks. Feel for bumps, lumps or tenderness. Record any loss of feeling, pain or areas that bleed unreasonably.

It’s important to learn to recognize the normal conditions of your own mouth so that you can detect abnormal conditions and report anything unusual to a dental professional or a medical specialist. When detected early, oral cancer has an estimated 80 percent survival rate, so it is important to incorporate the 12-step self-screening process above into your monthly routine. If you record any suspicious abnormalities in your mouth, neck or on your lips, please contact your dental team or medical specialist immediately.

For more information on oral cancer signs and symptoms, risk factors and prevention tips, check out our blog ‘Leading Causes of Oral Cancer’.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

At-home Oral Healthcare Tips

In these unprecedented times of staying at home and self-isolating, good at-home oral healthcare is even more important. Now that you can’t visit a professional for oral hygiene, it is up to you to make sure that your teeth, tongue, and gums get the best possible self-care. We have compiled a list of five important at-home oral healthcare tips for you and your loved ones to follow for optimal oral health in quarantine:

  1. Clean your toothbrush

First and foremost, it is important that you wash your hands with soap before and after touching your toothbrush, to avoid potentially spreading anything to or from your mouth. Be sure to rinse your toothbrush before and after every use by holding it under hot water. This will soften the bristles and release any food particles or hardened toothpaste from the last use. Some other ways you can disinfect your toothbrush at home include soaking it in antibacterial mouthwash, soaking it in 1 cup of water mixed with 2 teaspoons of baking soda, and soaking it in a cup of water with a denture cleaner tablet. These methods will effectively and safely disinfect your toothbrush to prevent the spread of germs.

  1. Follow the ‘2×2 Rule’

Brush your teeth for two minutes, twice a day with a clean, soft-bristled toothbrush. If you are using a manual toothbrush, be sure to hold it at a 45° angle to your gums and brush gently in a circular motion. And if you are using an electric toothbrush, gently brush in a gliding motion, tooth-by-tooth. If your toothbrush doesn’t have a built-in timer, put on a favourite song, scroll through social media, or put on a short YouTube video. To get the kids excited, schedule ‘brushing parties’ to make this essential part of you and your family’s daily routine more enjoyable.

  1. Stick to your routine

Your normal daily routine may have completely gone out the window, but it doesn’t mean your oral health routine needs to change. Just because you aren’t leaving your house, doesn’t mean that you don’t have to brush your teeth in the morning. It’s now more important than ever to stick to your daily regimen. Along with brushing, it’s also important to keep flossing! (No, the dance does not count). Flossing in-between your teeth with dental floss is an often overlooked yet necessary oral health practice. Even though you brush your teeth (twice a day), debris and plaque collect between them. Interdental cleaning helps cleanse hard-to-reach areas of bacteria or food particles that your toothbrush may leave behind. Flossing also helps reduce your risk of developing gum disease, periodontal disease and heart disease. Add two minutes to your daily oral healthcare regimen and floss for a cleaner, healthier you!

  1. Limit acidic drinks and sugary foods

Did you know that sugary snacks aren’t the only thing that can harm your smile? Foods and drinks that are high in acid can also have a negative impact on your oral health. Acids wear away the enamel that protects your teeth, and over time when your enamel is weakened or destroyed, cavities form. This process is called ‘tooth erosion’ and can cause severe permanent damage to your smile. Some ways to protect your teeth at home include: limiting your consumption of sugary, acidic beverages and foods, rinsing your mouth with water after drinking soft drinks, teas, coffees and juices, as well as brushing and flossing your teeth after snacking on sugary treats. Chips and popcorn that get stuck in-between your teeth expose them to sugars and acids that develop plaque, erode enamel, and cause cavities. This doesn’t mean you cannot treat yourself; just be mindful of how you are treating your oral and overall health.

  1. Know when to change your toothbrush

It is recommended that you change your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every three months to ensure you are cleaning your teeth with fresh, soft-bristled brush. Bent, frayed bristles cannot clean your teeth effectively, and often hold onto bacteria that can jeopardize your oral health. If you or a loved one gets sick, we recommend that you safely dispose of the old toothbrush to avoid the spread of germs and potentially compromise other peoples’ overall health, especially during this COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Taking care of your oral and overall health has never been more critical. As we stay home and distance ourselves to combat the spread of COVID-19, let’s also remember to continue fighting plaque, cavities, and tooth decay.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.