Store Your Child’s Toothbrush Safely

Store Your Child’s Toothbrush Safely

Storing a toothbrush may seem simple. Many stores carry a wide array of brush holders in assorted colors and themes. But storing a toothbrush properly involves more than popping it into a case. Here are a few steps to follow when putting your child’s toothbrush away.

1. Rinse the toothbrush—What good is cleaning your child’s mouth with a dirty toothbrush? Rinse the head of the toothbrush to make sure that all the particles cleaned out of your child’s mouth don’t go right back in during the next brushing.

2. Store the toothbrush upright—This allows any water left on the toothbrush after brushing to drip harmlessly away from the brush head.

3. Store the toothbrush in an open space—You might be tempted to put your child’s toothbrush in the medicine cabinet or a closed case. Don’t. Toothbrushes dry faster in the open air. A wet toothbrush is a great environment for bacteria to collect and infect your child’s teeth and gums.

4. Keep the toothbrush away from the toilet or sink—Most children brush their teeth in the bathroom. But not everything in the bathroom belongs in their mouths. When people wash their hands in the sink, soapy water can splash on toothbrushes. And when people flush the toilet, water can launch upwards, too. Make sure your toothbrushes aren’t stored in a splash zone.

5. Keep toothbrushes separated—If toothbrushes are too close, bacteria can hop from one toothbrush to another. Make sure your family keeps their brush heads clean—not just for themselves but for everyone in your home. For the same reason, don’t share toothbrushes. All family members should have their own.

6. Replace the toothbrush regularly—When your child’s toothbrush seems worn or becomes discolored, move it from the bathroom to the trash. A toothbrush or electric brush head that has been used too long will do more harm than good. We give our patients new toothbrushes when they visit us. Consider that an opportunity to get started with a fresh brush.

Having your child brush twice daily goes a long way toward maintaining optimum oral health. Keeping the toothbrush head clean and in good condition enhances those efforts.

Call us to schedule an appointment today!  509-891-7070.

Stick to It: The Benefits of Chewing Sugarless Gum

Stick to It: The Benefits of Chewing Sugarless Gum

Let’s pop one myth: it’s not cracking, popping or blowing bubbles with gum that can make it something of a health boost to your kids. Simply chewing it, though, actually can help prevent cavities.

Here’s how it works: The gum, to start, has to be sugarless. The only chewing gums endorsed by the American Dental Association shown to prevent cavities are those that contain the sugar substitute xylitol. Studies show that when children as young as five and six chew xylitol-sweetened gum after meals, the cavity-prevention benefits can last for years, even after the habit has been discontinued.

Next, your child has to chew the gum for a good solid while, approximately 10 to 20 minutes after a meal. The goal is to increase saliva flow, which will happen as your child chews.

This added saliva has numerous benefits. First, it physically helps to wash away small particles of food left on the teeth. Less food means less sugar for cavity-causing bacteria to feed upon. Too, compounds in the saliva can neutralize acids in the mouth—produced by those pesky bacteria—that can otherwise cause tooth enamel to deteriorate. The saliva also transports to the teeth some general antibacterial compounds, as well as tooth strengtheners like calcium and phosphate.

Is there a downside to gum-chewing (besides the possible audible annoyances)? You and your children should avoid fruit-flavored sugarless gum, because the acids in the flavorings can contribute to decay, instead of helping to prevent it.

It’s crucial, in the end, that your whole family remember this: Chewing sugarless gum absolutely does not substitute for brushing at least twice a day and flossing once daily. It is only an additional tool to help prevent cavities.

If you have further questions regarding the benefits of sugarless gum, click here to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jared. Or give us a call at (509)-891-7070.