Your Toothbrush And You

How often do you brush your teeth or change your toothbrush? Some of us find it a difficult task to brush our teeth once a day talk more of twice and some of us know how to use a toothbrush till it starts pleading to be substituted.
Asking if you adhere to the dental rule of seeing a Dentist at least twice a year is like asking if you've ever found a needle in a haystack in the dark. But these are healthy  lifestyles we should try to adopt – remember, health is wealth.

Okay. Have you heard that your toothbrush may harbour germs? Yes, take a rethink. Beside the fact that there are more bacteria in the mouth than anywhere else in your body, and some of them get on your toothbrush when you brush your teeth, has it also not occurred to you that where and how you store your toothbrush also matters? For instance, if you are in the habit of storing your toothbrush in the bathroom which tends to contain numerous invisible bacteria due to its warm and moist nature, such germs could settle on your toothbrush? You heard me right!
According to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC), a simple regimen for toothbrush care is sufficient to remove most micro-organisms from your toothbrush and limit the spread of disease. Here are some common-sense steps you can take:
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before and after brushing or flossing.
After brushing, rinse your toothbrush with warm water and store it upright to air-dry.
Don’t cover your toothbrush or place it in a closed container until it is completely dry. A moist environment can foster bacterial growth.
Use a completely dry toothbrush. Everyone should have two toothbrushes to give ample time (24 hours) for it to dry out in between uses.
Don’t share a toothbrush with anyone. Also, don’t store toothbrushes in a way that might cause them to touch and spread germs.
Replace your toothbrush every three or four months. Dentists recommend this practice not as prevention against contamination, but because toothbrushes wear out and become less effective at cleaning teeth.
Always replace your toothbrush after a cold or other illness to prevent contamination.
If you or someone else in your family is sick, that person should use a different tube of toothpaste (travel size, for example), to prevent spreading germs to other toothbrushes.
Also, after using the toilet, keep the lid down instead of opened up as every toilet flush sends a spray of bacteria to the air and you don’t want your toothbrush anywhere near it.

Source Information Nigeria.