February 5, 2022

Your Toothbrush Is Trying to Tell You These 5 Things

The toothbrush of a person can reveal a lot about their personality. Is there such a thing as an automatic toothbrush? This person desires a highly clean mouth that does not need a lot of work. A toothbrush made of wood? They’re most likely someone who is concerned about the environment. What about a cartoon toothbrush? Either you’re a kid or you’re in touch with your inner child. But, what if we told you that your toothbrush might reveal a lot about your brushing habits and oral health?

People brush their teeth twice a day, in the morning and at night, on average. When brushing your teeth for the appropriate amount of time, those 2 minutes twice a day can really add up! Your toothbrush can inform you if you’re brushing too hard, too soft, or if you need to reduce the amount of sugar you consume. Continue reading to find out how your toothbrush may interact with you in a variety of ways.

After brushing, the color is strangely colored

If the bristles of your toothbrush become a peculiar hue after brushing, you may need to reduce your sugar intake. Artificial colors and dyes are commonly found in sugary candy, which can stain the teeth’s surfaces. Candy residue can get stuck between your teeth in places that aren’t visible to the naked eye. If you clean your teeth and the bristles resemble the Skittles or Fun Dip you ate for a snack, you may need to reduce your sugar intake and drink more water. In the long run, cutting back on candy will help avoid decay. Increasing your water intake is also a good approach to fight these sugary pleasures. Drinking more water during and after meals will aid in the removal of residual food particles. Your toothbrush will begin to clean itself, and the bristles will return to their natural color.

Bristles that have become frayed

If the bristles on your toothbrush start to resemble an old, frayed rope you’d find on a farm, it’s time to replace it. To be at its most useful, your toothbrush will need to be replaced every few months if it is used frequently. To obtain the optimum oral hygiene, the American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every three months. Your toothbrush’s bristles should be stiff and straight at all times. Make a reminder for yourself by writing the day you’ll be using the new toothbrush on the handle!

After a Few Weeks, It Was Worn

It’s possible that your toothbrush is trying to notify you that you’re brushing too hard. Too intense brushing might cause toothbrushes to wear out faster than they should. Your bristles will begin to bend in different ways as a result of the constant pressure and tension of the bristles against your teeth. Bristles that are worn down hurt the gums and do not adequately clean the teeth. Additionally, your toothbrush may be attempting to communicate with you that you are brushing incorrectly. Brushing your teeth should be done in slow circles for two minutes on different quadrants of your teeth, and brushing your tongue should be done in back and forth motions.

Pink or red tinted

If your toothbrush bristles are tinged red or pink after brushing and you haven’t had any pink/red sweets, sugary treats, or sugary beverages, your gums may be bleeding or you aren’t giving your gums the attention they require. Gingivitis is characterized by bleeding gums. If your gums are puffy, bloated, red, or bleed after brushing, you are not brushing them properly and need to improve your gum hygiene. After brushing, your gums should be a light pink color with no blood or soreness. Gingivitis can develop if you don’t brush your teeth thoroughly enough or if you don’t floss your teeth. Flossing aids in the release of food particles stuck between teeth and invisible to the naked eye. Bacteria will build up and irritate the gum tissue in the diseased area if these particles are not removed. Increase the number of times you brush, make sure you brush properly, and floss every night to maintain your gums pink and healthy!

Bristles that are damp or stinky

If the bristles of your toothbrush are damp from a previous brush or exude an unpleasant odor, you’re not storing it properly. You should get rid of this toothbrush as soon as possible and replace it with a new one. Your toothbrush and bristles should be kept clean and dry at all times. The bristle-side of your toothbrush should be facing up when stored upright. Because this wet environment is a breeding ground for bacteria, you should not cover the bristles of the toothbrush with a toothbrush cap or other plastic. A toothbrush cap will keep germs in rather than keep them out, which may cause the bristles to smell like a dirty dish rag or towel due to the bacteria. Additionally, if two different toothbrushes are in the same spot, try to keep them apart and not touching. Cross contamination, especially among wet toothbrushes, can spread bacteria.

If you've been ill...

Replace your toothbrush completely! After you’ve started to feel better, the germs that made you sick can still be found on your toothbrush! Re-infection can happen if you don’t properly dispose of your toothbrush that you used when unwell. Because your immune system is only now beginning to feel better, it is also vulnerable. When you’re unwell, constantly replace your toothbrush to safeguard your mouth and body!