Oral Health: 4 Warning Signs Your Toothbrush Can Give Away

To prevent oral health problems and maintain healthy teeth and gums, brushing regularly is essential. Moreover, the toothbrush needs special attention because, over time, it can send signals that can help us keep our oral health long-term. Orthodontist specialists warn us about the main four signs tooth brushing can transmit, which should not be neglected.

Traces of blood on the toothbrush and in the sink

Finding traces of blood after brushing our teeth is, most of the times, the first sign of gingivitis. The golden rule in this sense is to brush until our gums are not bleeding anymore, because the area should be cleansed better and better to avoid the accumulation of even more bacterial plaque. Otherwise, if dental brushing is avoided, the bleeding can get even worse.

If the gums are swollen and red in appearance, and bleed easily when touched, you might have gingivitis, which is the initial, fortunately reversible, stage of periodontitis. Blood contains bacterial defense cells, and the body sends it where they are present: that is, most usually, to dental areas with bacterial plaque or food debris that leads to bacterial growth, usually near the gums.

Blunt, perhaps even discolored bristles

If your brush has blunt and discolored bristles, it means it is very old and will no longer perform its role properly. Compare it with a newer toothbrush preferably colored, to get an idea of the degree of wear. Generally, the toothbrush should be changed once every two or three months.

Bent, scattered bristles

Even if we talk about a newly bought toothbrush, if it has brushes almost horizontal and shiny, it means that the brush is too aggressive, and over time, the enamel will become damaged and the gum will recede.

In this case, there are two options: either changing the brush technique or using a pressure-sensitive electric brush that warns you through sound or light or even stops if the pressure is too high and we risk damaging the roots and developing dental sensitivity.

Bad odor of the toothbrush

Toothbrushes are ideal sources for bacterial reproduction. Over the time, various conducted studies have shown that brushes can contain harmful microorganisms such as Streptococcus mutans (which can cause dental caries) and Candida albicans (a fungus that can cause fungal infection).

The fears of bacteria present in the bathroom cause many people to cover their toothbrushes, but the plastic caps keep the brushes more damp and therefore the germs are multiplying rapidly, favoring the appearance of the odor, orthodontists explain. First of all, it is important to replace the toothbrush immediately and stop using the lid. After each and every use, the toothbrush should be cleaned, and left to dry in the open.




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