It seems everywhere we look these days someone is offering tips for a brighter healthier smile. The magazine in the checkout lane cautions that our toothbrushes could be making us sick. The toothpaste commercial on TV promises a whiter smile. Even the ads on the side of our Facebook page tempt us with headlines about dental secrets.

So what is the truth? Who can you trust? Easy, the answers are as close as the professionals at Olympia Hills Family Dental.

The staff and I are sharing with you our best tips for healthier, brighter smiles and have compiled them into a top ten list. So, if you are looking for dental tips you can trust and really use, read on. Then keep checking back with us every week for a new tip. If you have a question we don’t answer here, please contact us at (210)598-5321. We would love to hear from you.

Now for our count down:

10. How often should I change out my toothbrush?

Toothbrushes need to be replaced every 3 months at the very least. Take a good look at your toothbrush (go ahead, I’ll wait), notice the bristles on it. If it is older than 3 months, chances are the bristles are looking frayed and flat. This means it is no longer able to do its job at removing food and plaque from teeth and needs to be replaced.

Another time we need to replace our toothbrushes is after an illness as the bristles can harbor bacteria and viruses. Keep in mind that if your family toothbrushes are kept together in the same location, and if someone in the family has been sick, everyone in the house will need a new toothbrush.

Now that you are getting a new toothbrush, let’s talk about how to take care of it. Toothbrushes need to be rinsed thoroughly after each use and stored upright, making sure the brushes are clear of any other brushes or objects. Toothbrushes should dry completely between uses so bacteria and fungus don’t take up residency. So, if your toothbrush is still damp, time to find a new storage solution.

Enjoy that new toothbrush and remember to check back in with us next week for another tip from the professionals at Olympia Hills Family Dental.

Top 10 List

#10 – When to Change Out Your Toothbrush

# 9 – “To Seal or Not To Seal, Is That Really A Question?”

# 8 – Teeth Whitening: Relationship Advice You Can Use

#7 – These are some really BRIGHT tips

# 6 – Brush Your Tongue