(We Chinese in America Media Editor Tang Zhao, February 15, 2022) Today is Chinese Lantern Festival. Lantern Festival remind people of dumplings, full moon, reunion all the time, love, blessing, every day meet fate, and the full moon is rounder. Happy Lantern Festival! After we have had the goodies, we need to brush our teeth. Here is an important reminder of the lifespan of toothbrushes: Toothbrushes are easy to breed bacteria, and regular replacement is more important than regular cleaning. (Photo from the World Journal)

Some hygiene products cannot be used for a long time without being replaced. Among them, "toothbrush" is a good example. A scholar from the University of Manchester pointed out that a toothbrush without a cover placed in the bathroom can carry millions of bacteria. If it is the bacteria that exists in the oral cavity, it may not be a serious problem, but it is also common to breed Escherichia coli and bacteria that can cause diarrhea. Staphylococcus bacteria that may cause skin infections.

Some people think it’s important to “clean” toothbrushes regularly. The Cleveland Clinic clarifies that myths include putting the toothbrush in the dishwasher or denture cleaner, washing the bristles with soap, placing it in the freezer, or putting it in boiling water. In fact, these are not very meaningful, it is better to develop a good habit of not sharing toothbrushes with others and changing toothbrushes regularly.

Change the bristles immediately

Dentists indicate that there is no hard and fast rule for the replacement frequency of toothbrushes, and it depends on each person's usage. Some people brush their teeth very hard, and the bristles of the toothbrush split after less than a month of use, so they should be replaced immediately; while some people brush their teeth lightly and for a short time, the bristles of the toothbrush are not easy to split or collapse, and it is easier to ignore the importance of replacing the toothbrush with a new one.

Dentists suggest that the toothbrush must be replaced within three months at the longest, because the oral cavity contains a variety of bacteria, and the bristles that have been used for a long time are more likely to remain on the bristles. In addition, the bathroom is a humid environment, which is easy to cause a variety of bacteria to breed. In turn, the toothbrush used to clean the mouth has become a breeding ground for germs.

Brush your teeth the right way

In addition to changing toothbrushes regularly, it is more important for people to use the correct way to brush their teeth. Dentists would suggest that when brushing teeth, use two or three teeth as a unit, pay attention to the bristles and the tooth surface at 45 degrees to 60 degrees, and cover a part of the gums. When brushing the upper row of teeth, the bristles are slightly elevated, and when brushing the lower row, the bristles are slightly downward. Gently point up and down or rotate the brush, at least 10 times each, and then brush the loose tartar to the occlusal surface, and the occlusal surface is cleaned in a back-and-forth manner. In addition to brushing your teeth with a toothbrush, you should also use dental floss or an interdental brush to thoroughly clean the interface between the teeth and the interdental area.

In addition, when choosing a toothbrush, you can also pay attention that the bristles are not too hard and try to choose a toothbrush with a smaller brush head. A suitable toothbrush combined with the correct brushing method can effectively improve the oral hygiene and reduce the swelling, pain, and bleeding of the gums.

(Source: Compiled from Online Information)