It’s a scene that’s repeated in bathrooms across Australia. As the day wanes and bed beckons, there’s just one more ritual to be complete: the methodical spreading of a thick pepperminty goo on a bristly piece of plastic followed by several minutes of vigorous scrubbing and a rinse.
However, this regular ritual is momentarily broken when you take a look down and see those tell-tale black spots of mould inching their way towards the summit.
Forcing down a gulp of revulsion, you then replace your trusty brush with a brand new tool.
But there’s one question spinning through your mind: how do you stop the mould in the first place?
The trouble with sharing
For those that remember, Australians were transfixed in the early 2010s by the US television series, How I Met Your Mother. Over nine seasons audiences waited patiently for the answer to that one inescapable question: who was the mother?
Along the way we learned many facts about our favourite fictional 20-something-New Yorkers including Marshall and Ted’s ultimate road trip song (500 Miles), Lily’s penchant for credit card debt, Robin’s liking for a fine scotch, and Barney’s ability to have a “guy” for every occasion (“Yes Ted, I have a baby guy.”)
But in season five we learned a bit too much about the gang’s oral hygiene when it was revealed that for eight years the married Marshall and Lily cut colgate corners by choosing not to invest in individual toothbrushes. The hapless Ted also wound up using his best friend’s brush for a significant amount of time.
While we can only ask why on earth no-one noticed the wear and tear on the much-loved toothbrush, it does raise an important point.
According to experts, at any given time, there are almost 200 species of oral bacteria living in your mouth.
Hopefully, you’re not digesting lunch as you read those words and while we believe that sharing is caring, in the case of your toothbrush its best to be the lone ranger.
Top tips to beat that mould
Mould is essentially bacteria growth caused by a variety of factors. Some of the best ways to prevent the build-up of mould is to follow these four simple tips:
- Get a new brush. Replace your brush regularly or if you notice damage to the bristles.
- Use the right toothpaste. Talk to your dentist about your specific needs and buy the toothpaste that will benefit you the most.
- Don’t share. Don’t be a Ted! For obvious reasons, it’s best not to share your brush and if you do share toothpaste it’s advisable to never put it directly onto the bristles.
- Clean your bristles. On occasion soak the bristles in mouthwash with antibacterial agents.
“Plastic not fantastic”
It seems so simple. After brushing your teeth place the brush into a container ready for its next use right?
While a lifesaver while on the go, placing a brush in a sealed package is actually not great for your oral health.
Cutting off air means that the bristles are unlikely to dry properly between brushes, which ultimately promotes bacterial growth.
For this reason, it’s also not recommended to store all of the family toothbrushes in the same cup or container as germs can spread really quickly in that environment.
It pays to be careful about how you store your toothbrush. (Source Pexels)
Oral care and the elderly
While it’s important to promote good oral hygiene at any age, sadly for the elderly, particularly those living with dementia, trying to achieve it comes with its own challenges. Earlier in 2019 the Royal Commission on Aged Care Safety and Quality heard evidence that poor oral care can have fatal results.
When moving into aged care many residents lose the ability to brush their teeth and as a result suffer from complications including rotten teeth, painful abscesses and undiagnosed cancers in the mouth.
It can be distressing for their family members to see their loved ones in such a condition, and as there’s currently no legal requirements for residents to have an oral health assessment upon entering a nursing home, the Australian Dental Association is calling for a proper inspection at the time of admittance as well as lobbying for the introduction of a Commonwealth Dental Scheme for Older Australians that would provide $1000 in free treatment every two years.
The science of dentistry has improved phenomenally in recent years, although the legacy of pulling a sore tooth no matter the cause lives on in older Australians who live with dentures as a result.
Cleaning your dentures regularly and storing them appropriately is crucial for good oral health.
With Dr Mark’s Hygenie products, including the popular denture brush, you can have confidence that whether you do or don’t have your original teeth, you can still practise healthy habits that will improve not only your oral but your overall health.
Young or old, a devout tooth brusher, or someone who begrudgingly does it because their parents told them to, a mouldy toothbrush is never a pleasant sight.
Regularly changing your brush, keeping it clean, and careful storage techniques are all ways to minimise bacterial growth being able to dazzle with your smile for longer. Ensuring your toothbrush is taken care of properly and hygienically is as important as keeping your removable dental appliances clean, use the Dr Mark’s Hygenie Sure Grip Denture Brush to avoid mould in places it should not be.
