With all of our kids back in school and the viruses/illnesses are spreading again, it's really important to not only keep up good hand hygiene but good oral hygiene as well!
Did you know that a single toothbrush can hold as many 1.2 million bacteria? That's a lot! After your child gets sick, you may wonder if it's OK to even use the same toothbrush again!
So how do you take care of your toothbrush and how often do you need to change them out? These are great questions! A healthy and clean toothbrush means a healthy child!
Here is how you can take care of your child's toothbrush
- After using the toothbrush, shake it vigorously under tap water and store it in an upright position so that it can air out
- Make sure the toothbrush dries between uses
How often should you change your child's toothbrush?
1) It is recommended to change your toothbrush every 3 months
2) Studies have shown that after 3 months of normal wear and tear, the toothbrush becomes less effective at removing plaque from your child's teeth!
And super important! - if your child has had a cold, flu, mouth infection, or sore throat - change out the toothbrush! Germs can hide in the bristles and cause reinfection. We don't want your child to get sick again!
Keeping up the good habit of changing out your toothbrush often will not only keep your child's smile clean and bright, but also keeps your child healthy!
