You floss your teeth then brush them until they're squeaky-clean, satisfied that your mouth is as clean and fresh as it can be. While you may have done the best job possible, have you ever stopped to think of how clean your actual toothbrush is?

First of all, when you brush, the plaque, bacteria and oral debris on your teeth are captured on your toothbrush. The next time you brush, some of those germs are reintroduced into your mouth. For this reason we highly recommend you replace your toothbrush if you have just battled a cold or flu.

Look at the space around your toothbrush too. Toothbrushes knocking together or being in close vicinity to other toothbrushes allow airborne bacteria to travel from toothbrush to toothbrush, opening up the possibility of infections such as periodontal (gum) disease and even the common cold being passed from one person to another.

Here's another thought that can turn even the most unconcerned of us into a germophobiac: Studies show that when you flush the toilet, polluted water vapor erupts out of the flushing toilet bowl and settles on nearby surfaces, which may include your toothbrush! Take a second to put the lid down on the toilet before you flush it next time, to help contain these germs.

The Academy of General Dentistry suggests that the best way to protect your toothbrush is to, after rinsing the bristles thoroughly and then shaking the excess moisture off the toothbrush, place a toothbrush cover over the toothbrush head. This will help cut down on the potential spread of bacteria from one toothbrush to another.

Finally, make a habit of greeting each new season with a new, soft-bristled toothbrush. If you need recommendations on the best type of toothbrush for your individual needs, please ask us the next time you're in.  

Most of us don't think too much about brushing - it's just something that we do automatically. When it comes time to teach our kids how to brush though, it's worth taking a refresher course by sitting in on his or her dental visit while we show them, step-by-step, what the proper procedure is.

The first thing to do is to ensure that your child has the proper toothbrush - one with soft, rounded bristles. Whether they prefer a manual toothbrush or electric toothbrush, the selection of toothbrushes these days can be overwhelming, so don't be afraid to ask us for suggestions on the one that would be best for your child. In fact, the choice of a toothbrush, especially a toothbrush with a bright pattern or picture of a popular cartoon character, can encourage the child to brush just for the novelty of the toothbrush design.

When you're comfortable with your child's choice of toothbrush, you'll want to review these simple brushing guidelines:

1. Start cleaning teeth early: "Early" means cleaning the very first baby teeth with a clean, damp cloth every day. When more teeth come in, switch to a small, soft toothbrush; you won't need toothpaste at first, especially if the child can't yet spit it out.
2. Don't overdo the toothpaste: After about age 2, your child can start using a small amount of toothpaste. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste is sufficient. While fluoride in toothpaste is important for fighting cavities, too much exposure at too young an age can cause white spots in a child's permanent teeth.
3. Supervise brushing. Brush your child's teeth twice a day until your child can confidently and properly do it alone. Even then, continue to watch that the child does a thorough job and uses only a small amount of toothpaste; there are a number of kid-friendly flavors made especially for kids to choose from these days.

Regular, thorough brushing is a simple, yet effective way to remove the bacteria that causes tooth decay and gum disease. Take care of your child's teeth, and they'll reward you with a lifetime of healthy smiles 

A toothbrush with firm bristles, coupled with vigorous brushing action, is ideal for scrubbing away the gunk around your bathroom sink faucets. When it comes to brushing your teeth, however, we respectfully suggest a lighter-handed approach.

The enamel that protects the outside of your teeth needs to be cleaned thoroughly, but gently. While enamel is a hard substance, it can only withstand so much abuse, and heavy-handed brushing is one way that some patients have actually worn down their tooth enamel. Once enamel wears away, either from abrasion or from erosion, bacteria have the means to invade your tooth structure and cause some real damage through dental decay.

If you're not sure which toothbrush is right for you, simply ask us for a recommendation. There are some excellent toothbrushes on the market these days that combine the soft bristles your gums and enamel will appreciate, with the type of tapered tips that work best to remove plaque from on and around your teeth. Electric toothbrushes can be another effective option. Give us a call at 734-425-4530 we'd be happy to explain the differences between them and which option would suit your needs best.