Do you know your toothbrush?
There aren’t many things in your life that know you as intimately as your toothbrush … but do you know it? Read on for some interesting facts about this essential tool in your personal hygiene arsenal.
LOOKING FOR A TOOTHBRUSH: FIND THE ADA SEAL.
Look for a toothbrush with the ADA Seal of Acceptance. All products with the seal have been tested independently and accepted by the scientific experts of the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. To receive the seal, toothbrushes must demonstrate durability and effectiveness to help reduce your risk of gum disease or cavities.
THE TOOTHBRUSH IS AS OLD AS THE PYRAMIDS.
The first toothbrushes were probably created about 5,000 years ago by using a “chew stick,” which is just a thin twig with a frayed end created by chewing on it. Over time with improving technology, toothbrushes were created using handles fashioned from bone, wood or ivory and stiff bristles from animals like horses, boars and hogs. Our modern toothbrushes made with plastic handles and polished nylon bristles have been around since 1938.
WITH TIME ON HIS HANDS … Jailed for inciting a riot in 1770, an English prisoner, William Addis, witnessed fellow prisoners trying to clean their teeth with a rag covered in soot or salt. He kept an animal bone from dinner and borrowed some bristles from a prison guard. After boring a hole in the bone, he glued the bristles in place to create a brush. When he was released, he modified the design and began to manufacture the brush as Wisdom Toothbrushes, a company that still exists in the United Kingdom.
MANUAL OR ELECTRIC?
It’s really up to you. What is most important is using it twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste. Both types of brushes can effectively and thoroughly clean your teeth when used properly. So, it really is what you prefer. Electric brushes may be easier or more effective for those with certain physical limitations. Some people may find one or the other more comfortable. Your dentist may be able to help you make the best choice.
FLOSS FIRST? BRUSH FIRST? This one is easy … whichever you want! There is no “right” order to do your brushing and flossing. Some prefer to clean the teeth with a good flossing before brushing any remnants away. Others prefer to brush and then follow that up with flossing. Either way, it is important to do both. Only 40% of people floss daily, so make it a habit to floss when you brush.
YOU BRUSHED HOW LONG?
If you brush the recommended two minutes twice a day, you would brush 79 days over the course of a lifetime. That’s around 2½ straight months of continuous brushing! But, shockingly, a recent survey revealed that 23% of Americans have gone two or more days without brushing their teeth in the past year. So, it should be no surprise that in the same study one-third of Americans said they made their partners brush their teeth before a kiss.
DON’T GET TOO ATTACHED.
A brush can last anywhere from 6 weeks to 4 months, but probably not longer than that. It is highly dependent on the way you brush. A soft brush is generally recommended for thorough cleaning but the more aggressively a brush is used, the more quickly bristles will become bent or deformed. That leads to less effective cleaning meaning it is time for a new brush.
BE A SOFTY.
No matter what kind of brush you choose, make it soft. A brush that is too hard may make your teeth feel clean but will probably leave plaque behind. To brush effectively, you have to clean close to the gum. When bristles are too stiff you avoid making contact with sensitive gum tissue. That means some areas don’t get cleaned well. Take your time with a good quality soft brush for the best results.