Our bamboo toothbrushes require a bit more love and tender care than regular plastic toothbrushes. Nevertheless, it is a fair exchange for the good they do for the environment and you won't find your mouth complaining either. Here are some tips for ensuring you take the utmost care of yours.
Wash Your Hands
Think about the number of items your hands touch or fiddle with in one day. Plenty of bacteria live on these surfaces. If you don't wash your hands before brushing, you simply transfer the germs from these items to your toothbrush and into your mouth. Before brushing teeth, wash your hands preferably with an antibacterial soap or hand wash. This isn't a handy tip for bamboo toothbrushes alone but all kinds.
Don't Use Too Much Pressure
While it may feel tempting to apply a lot of pressure when brushing in the hopes to scrub more gunk off and get a more effective clean, this cleaning method can seriously damage your teeth’s enamel. Without enamel protecting them, your teeth are more susceptible to staining and corrosion. Not only is brushing hard bad for your enamel it does not do your toothbrush much good either. High levels of pressure can cause the bristles on your toothbrush to fray and fall out. For most individuals dentists will recommend brushing gently in repetitive, concentric circular motions. This will preserve the life of both your toothbrush and enamel. If you have brushed hard enough to bend any bristles, you can straighten them back into place with your fingers.
Rinse off Your Toothbrush
Once you are done brushing, gently rinse the toothbrush handle and bristles. Place the brush under warm, running water making sure to rub the bristles clear of anything that maybe stuck to them. Your toothbrush is regularly exposed to germs that reside in your mouth as well as food debris. Additionally, toothpaste can get embedded in-between bristles.
Keep it Dry
Always keep your toothbrush dry, because bamboo is water permeable if moisture stays on the brush it can encourage bacteria growth. To properly store your bamboo toothbrush shake off any excess water after you rinse it off. For the best results give it a quick rub with your towel then set it somewhere to dry.
Store Upright
Store your toothbrush vertically upright in a toothbrush holder. Storing your toothbrush, this way exposes it to air allowing for both the top and bottom to dry out completely. Do not lay your toothbrush on a wet sink or in a cup where it may stay damp. Lying on a flat surface is just fine as long as the water can drain away.
Don't Share
While this goes without saying it’s still good to just put it out there never share your toothbrush with any other person despite the circumstances. Sharing toothbrushes increases the risk of spreading bacteria and worse infections that are transmissible through the mouth.
Cover Your Toothbrush Only When Travelling
As stated above its best to keep your toothbrush, dry as much as possible. While a toothbrush, travel case does a great job at protecting your brush from any dirt that could be inside your toiletry bag it can allow water to harbor on your brush for longer. We offer an aerated toothbrush travel case that allows your toothbrush to breathe through a small hole that lets air in while keeping larger debris out as you store it. Shop one here---
Replace Your Toothbrush
Dentists recommend replacing your toothbrush every three or so months; this applies to bamboo toothbrushes too. Overtime, all toothbrush bristles wear down resulting in ineffective cleaning. Take note of when you start using a new toothbrush so you can switch it out accordingly.
Expose to Sunshine
Once in a while place your toothbrush in direct sunlight if you have easy access to it. No this isn't so your toothbrush photosynthesizes. Placing your brush in sunlight removes unnecessary moisture and prevents the growth of mold on the bamboo handle. Prolonged exposure to sunlight however can lead to discoloration of the bristles.