The NHS has issued a warning about a common daily habit that could unknowingly put people at risk of infection – failing to replace your toothbrush regularly. Highlighting this issue online, the health service advises replacing your toothbrush every three months or you could be risking infection.
An NHS Foundation Trust Trust website states: “Change your toothbrush every three months when possible.” It also recommends using a small or medium brush head, as these are better suited for reaching all areas of the mouth.
By replacing your toothbrush regularly, the NHS explains you can effectively remove plaque and more. “These actions will help to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth which can cause tooth decay and gum disease”, they explain.
In addition to this, a warning from Corringham Dental reads: “Other risks and issues involved with not replacing your toothbrush often enough include damage to your gums, inability to remove plaque from your teeth properly or gingivitis. Gingivitis can lead to infection, which can cause your teeth to fall out.”
As well as brushing your teeth twice a day, the NHS continues by saying that when it comes to toothpaste, you should look out for specific types. They urge: “Use a pea-sized amount of a fluoride toothpaste containing 1350 to 1500ppm of fluoride (you can find out this information on the back of the tube of toothpaste).”
In a further handy tip, they suggest: “After brushing your teeth, spit out the toothpaste but don’t rinse your mouth. This lets the fluoride in the toothpaste stay on your teeth or longer, helping to make them stronger.”
What are the signs and symptoms gum disease?
Symptoms of gum disease include:
- your gums bleeding when you brush your teeth, floss or eat hard foods such as apples
- your gums becoming swollen, red and sore
Gum disease can lead to:
- bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth
- your gums shrinking
- your teeth becoming loose or falling out
See a dentist if:
- your gums bleed when you brush your teeth or eat hard foods
- your gums are painful and swollen
- you have bad breath
- your child has sore, bleeding gums
Don’t forget to floss and “tilt the bristle tips towards the gum line at 45 degrees.” By using small, circular movements or vibrations, this will help keep your teeth clean and reduce the risk of infection.
They conclude: “Brush the outsides, insides and chewing surfaces of your teeth, brushing each tooth surface for five seconds. Brushing your teeth should take two to three minutes total.”