Tooth brushing Mistake No.9: “Not Letting the Toothbrush Dry

Your toothbrush is an easy thing to take for granted since it’s a part of your daily routine that doesn’t necessarily receive much thought. Bad habits stack up when brushing your teeth, though, and not letting your toothbrush dry out all the way can make it worse! Learn some simple techniques for keeping you and your toothbrush as healthy as possible here with advice.

What’s Wrong with a Wet Toothbrush?

Your toothbrush holds more than water if you don’t let it dry out all the way after each use. It can be an excellent place for mold to grow and decaying food to sit – neither of which are things you particularly want to brush your teeth with! Not drying out your toothbrush consistently can mean not getting the most out of it, with its worsening state leaving your breath and teeth no chance to improve.

Set Yourself Up for Success

The best way to make sure your toothbrush dries out all the way is to leave it in a place where it has the chance to do so. Place it upright where it can air dry, and rinse before each use. If you or your child wears braces or Invisalign, this takes on even more importance, as braces and Invisalign need to be cleaned deeply and regularly in order to be the most effective they can be.

Make sure you’re placing your and your children’s toothbrushes somewhere where they can breathe after use – a cup set aside specifically for the toothbrushes, for example, can be a fun and easy way to get into the routine of storing your toothbrushes correctly.

If you’re looking for more information, give orthodontist Dr. Joel Gluck a call today! He and his team will be more than happy to help you find out how to maintain the cleanest, freshest teeth you can.

joelgluck

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.