The dirty truth about your brush

MANILA, Philippines – Filipinos may be known for their vibrant, contagious smiles, but oral hygiene doesn’t always appear to be a top priority.

Dental checkups and appointments tend to be infrequent, partly caused by the price of dental procedures and partly by the stigma and fear surrounding dental drills and anaesthetic injections.

Visits to the dentist usually happen when a problem becomes serious and the need for dentist becomes unavoidable. By then, it’s already too late with your gums and teeth paying for ill attention. It’s the reason why tooth decay remains prominent among kids and adults.

Beyond great smiles and straight, white teeth, good oral hygiene is something worth aiming for. A smile seems more genuine if you aren’t worried about gum disease, after all.

While dentists recommended changing toothbrushes every 3 to 4 months, most of us don’t even bother to change our toothbrush or are even aware that there is a recommended period. Frayed bristles from old toothbrushes make for ineffective brushing and, as a result, a less than optimal oral hygiene routine.

Aside from tooth decay, gum disease, and halitosis (bad breath), a lack of regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups can aggravate complications from cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, as well as intestinal worm infections.

Changing your toothbrush and having a oral hygiene routine can have an impact against fighting all these issues. They are practical, inexpensive ways to avoid oral diseases and an emergency trip to the dentist.

Here are some truths about your toothbrush that may make you seriously consider your options for that next toothbrush purchase, in addition to improving your old oral care routine.