{"id":55,"date":"2017-05-25T21:41:14","date_gmt":"2017-05-25T21:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.islandcitydental.com\/blog\/?p=55"},"modified":"2017-05-28T21:41:31","modified_gmt":"2017-05-28T21:41:31","slug":"tips-toothbrush-dentist-fort-lauderdale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.islandcitydental.com\/blog\/tips-toothbrush-dentist-fort-lauderdale\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Your Toothbrush by Your Dentist in Fort Lauderdale"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"YourYour toothbrush may look just fine to the untrained eye, but the truth is after a period of time there are many reasons why you need to change out your toothbrush. You may think you\u2019re practicing great oral hygiene habits at home, but what good is that doing your smile if your toothbrush is harboring dangerous bacteria? Your dentist in Fort Lauderdale wants you to know why it\u2019s important to replace your toothbrush every few months.<\/p>\n

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Why should I replace my toothbrush?<\/h2>\n

Even if your toothbrush seems to look and work as it\u2019s supposed to, after 3 or 4 months, the fibers start to wear down and hold onto harmful dental bacteria. Your toothbrush will be much less effective at removing plaque from your teeth when it\u2019s accompanied by harmful debris. An old toothbrush is still better than no toothbrush, but not by too much.<\/p>\n

Remember, overall health is closely associated with\u00a0dental health, so it\u2019s worth the little time and effort to take care and replace your toothbrush.<\/p>\n

How often should I replace my toothbrush?<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day for at least two minutes, you should be replacing your toothbrush every 3 or 4 months. Sometimes some patients need to replace them sooner. If you tend to brush more vigorously, it may need to be replaced earlier than every 3 months. When in doubt, take a glance at the bristles. Are they frayed or pointing in every which direction instead of smooth and standing straight up? If so, it\u2019s time to get a new toothbrush.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that you may also want to replace your toothbrush if you\u2019ve recently been sick, since the associated bacteria and viruses could potentially get you sick all over again. Your Fort Lauderdale dentist thinks it\u2019s a good idea to stock up on a few toothbrushes for each member of your house. This way, you\u2019ll always be prepared to switch your family\u2019s toothbrush out if you need to.<\/p>\n

How should I be caring for my toothbrush?<\/h2>\n

You can make the most out of your toothbrush when you take care of it properly.\u00a0 The office of Robert L. Smith, DDS and Lori Albe, DMD<\/a> recommend that you follow these tips:<\/p>\n