Thursday, July 8, 2010

Frequently Asked Questions About Brushing Teeth in the Classroom.

1. Why is it important to air-dry toothbrushes?
Answer: Bacteria from the mouth remains on the brush after use. These bacteria are not eliminated when the brush is rinsed. Most bacteria are destroyed when the oxygen in the air reaches them. If the brush remains wet or damp for a period of time, the bacteria incubate and multiply and therefore can be a problem. The quicker a brush is dried, the better it is.

2 comments:

Timothy said...

During my comprehensive dental exam at the Dentists St Petersburg Clinic, I was able to ask my dentist about when is the best time to replace my toothbrush. I was worried about bacteria getting stuck to my toothbrush, which will eventually end up in my mouth. Thankfully the St Petersburg dentist was very nice. He told me that I need to rinse my toothbrush properly to avoid bacteria pile up and to try to change it every 2-3 months. In addtion, he said that whenever I'm down with flu and if I notice that the bristles begins to show wear, then I have to change my toothbrush for it to effectively work. I was so relieved that I did not keep even my favorite cartoon toothbrush longer than two months! Well, thanks for the informative post. The next time I clean my toothbrush, I'll air-dry it first before I keep it. Again, thanks.

Kristen said...
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