Toothbrush selection and common sense

　　Toothbrush care

　　(1) Wash your toothbrush thoroughly after each use, shake off the water as much as possible, place the toothbrush head upward in a mouthwash cup, or place it in a ventilated and sunny place to dry and sterilize it. Avoid placing your toothbrush in a closed container. It's difficult to keep a toothbrush dry in an airtight container. Compared with dry environments, moist environments are more conducive to the rapid reproduction of microorganisms.

　　(2) You can use 2 to 3 toothbrushes alternately to extend the drying time of the toothbrush. This is especially important for people with gingivitis and periodontitis. In addition, rotation can also maintain the elasticity of toothbrush bristles.

　　(3) Replace the toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. The bristles of the domestic toothbrushes currently on the market will become bent after 2 to 3 months of use. The curved toothbrush bristles not only make it difficult to clean the food residue between the teeth, but also scratch the gums. In addition, bacteria can easily accumulate in toothbrush heads that have been used for too long. Therefore, it is generally recommended to replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.

　　(4) Do not share toothbrushes with others. Sharing toothbrushes leads to the exchange of body fluids and microorganisms, increasing the risk of cross-infection. This kind of behavior is very harmful to people with low immunity and those who are infected. disease People who are pregnant should pay special attention.

　　(5) If you have suffered from cold , it is best to soak the toothbrush in disinfectant or replace it with a new toothbrush. In addition, family members do not put toothbrushes together, but place them in multiple toothbrushes, which is more conducive to the prevention and control of infectious diseases.

　　Toothbrush selection

　　(1) Size of toothbrush head: According to the regulations of the American Dental Association, the length of the toothbrush head should be 2.5 to 3 cm, the width should be 0.8 to 1 cm, and there should be 2 to 4 rows of bristles, with 5 to 12 bundles of bristles in each row. The front end of the toothbrush head should be rounded and blunt. These regulations can be used as a reference when choosing a toothbrush.

　　(2) The hardness of the bristles: Generally, they can be divided into three types: soft, neutral, and hard. It is more suitable to use a neutral hardness toothbrush. When buying a toothbrush, you can press the bristles with your fingers. If your fingers feel irritated, it means it is too hard and should not be used.

　　(3) The angle between the brush head and the brush handle: There are two types of commercially available toothbrushes: straight type and angle type. The straight type is more powerful when used, and the angled toothbrush is better at cleaning the back teeth.

　　(4) Special toothbrush: For patients with periodontal disease or older people, the gums have receded and the interdental space has increased. There are also concave toothbrushes specially used for orthodontists. The outer two rows of bristles of this toothbrush are longer than the middle two rows of bristles. People who have difficulty moving their hands and feet, such as stroke patients, can choose an electric toothbrush.