A child’s toothbrush can tell you a lot about their personality. Automatic toothbrush? This person wants their mouth to be very clean without a lot of effort. Wooden toothbrush? They’re probably from a family who is environmentally conscious. Character toothbrush, usually for a child who loves to see their favorite cartoon character. But would you believe us if we told you that your toothbrush can tell you a lot about your brushing habits and your dental health?
We suggest kids brush their teeth at least twice a day, morning and night for at least 2 minutes. Those 2 minutes 2x a day can really add up over time! Your toothbrush can tell you if you’ve been brushing too hard, not enough, or even if you need to change your diet. Read more about the ways your toothbrush is talking with you!
Strangely Colors After Brushing
If the bristles of your toothbrush are a strange color after brushing, that may be an telling you that you need to eat less sugar. Sugary foods are also known for containing artificial colors, these often stain the surfaces of the teeth. Sticky candies can also rest on your teeth in places not visible just by looking alone. If you brush your teeth and the bristles come out resembling those snack you eat often, there’s a good chance you need to cut back on sugars and consume more water. Adding more water to your diet can help wash away leftover food and snack particles.
Broken Up Bristles
If the bristles on your toothbrush start to resemble an old, and broken rope you’d see on after year of use, your toothbrush is telling you it’s time to retire. With daily use, your toothbrush needs to be changed every few months to be useful. The ADA suggests replacing your toothbrush every 3 months on average. The bristles of your toothbrush should remain at a stiff and straight direction. Help give your kids a reminder by writing the date that you use the new toothbrush on the box or handle.
Red or Pink Bristles
If the bristles of your toothbrush are tinted red or pink after brushing, and you have not eaten red food/drinks there’s a good chance that your gums may be bleeding. Bleeding gums are a sure sign of gingivitis. If your gums look swollen, red, and bleed after brushing, you are not taking care of your kiddos gums properly and need to work on gum-hygiene. Flossing can help this aspect a lot. Food often gets stuck and can lead to these issues. The best way to help this is to increase how often you brush and to make sure to brush with properly.