By Lena | Leave A Comment
While I was browsing the American Dental Association site I was reminded of a few other toothbrush related facts.
- Don’t store your toothbrush out in the open in a bathroom (specifically ones that have the toilets next to the sink)
- Do not store toothbrushes in closed containers
- Stand them up and allow them to air-dry (not sure how else you would dry a toothbrush)
- If storing more than one toothbrush in the same holder or area, keep them separate (germs can spread from one toothbrush to the other)
- Rinse your toothbrush right after use (I rinse mine before and after use)
While we’re talking toothbrushes we might as well talk tooth brushing.
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth (and your children’s) teeth on a regular basis to remove plaque buildup. They recommend brushing for 2 to 3 minutes. (I use an electric tooth brush that vibrates after 1 minute but a timer would probably work well for kids.)
Also, don’t forget to floss daily (kids too) and get regular dental check-ups (typically every 6 months).
Now if you excuse me, I have to go remove my children’s toothbrushes from the bathroom drawer.
Fun Fact: The nylon-bristled toothbrush that is commonly used today was invented in 1938.
ABOUT Lena
Lena is a wife and working mother of 2 beautiful but very busy children. She blogs about the joys an{read more}
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Like you I was only doing it when the dentist gave them to us, with the exception of TobyMac toothtunes shortly after Christmas. So now I’m wondering…I’ve never seen an eco-friendly toothbrush on the shelf at Wal-mart. Just for my family, at the rate of 5 brushes every 3 to 4 months, how many plastic toothbrushes is that in the landfill? Does anyone have a “green” alternative?
Thank you for your comment Sundi! Preserve actually sells toothbrushes whose handles are made from 100% recycled plastic. They also have a program set up where you can send the toothbrush and case back to Preserve using a postage-paid label. The toothbrushes are then re-processed into plastic lumber for picnic tables, boardwalks and decks. Most Target stores sell Preserve toothbrushes for the same price (or less) than “name” brand ones. I did not see child size ones though. Next time I am at the dentist I think I am going to pass on the free ones and start buying these. Every little bit counts! To answer your question, your family would add ~15 toothbrushes to the landfill a year X (let’s say) 70 years = 1050 toothbrushes. Wow! It always surprises me when I look at numbers this way. Let me know if you purchase a Preserve toothbrush and what you think of it.