Toothbrush plays a vital role in the right oral health. It is something that everyone uses but they end up avoiding taking the right care of it. You will be surprised to know that many bacteria can live on the surface of the toothbrush, as many as ten millions to be approximate. If you are not taking care of the tooth brush then you are directly taking all those germs right into your mouth every morning. According to the Sherwood park dentists, tooth brush has the anti germ components, but the ones which are approved by the American Dental Association are the ones to go for. Here, we are going to discuss some tips that have been recommended by many of the dental clinic in Edmonton for the clean toothbrushes and how to keep them safe.

Always rinse the toothbrush in the running tap water after using it. People tend to just brush and they keep the toothbrush right into the cupboard without even giving it a proper rinse. This becomes the thriving ground for bacteria as toothpastes are sweet and germs love to thrive on them. After rinsing the toothbrush make sure that you have kept it in the upright position so that the water drains out, if there is any. Make sure that toothbrush is in the airy environment.

It is also advisable to keep toothbrush in the cases that come specifically for them. It keeps them safe from the germs that might be in the air. The dental services recommended to keep the toothbrushes soaked in mouthwash till the nest use so that it remains clean and safe from germs as mouthwash has anti germ content which keeps the bristles f the toothbrush clean and safe.

When is the right time to change the toothbrush?

It is generally recommended by the American Dental Association to change the toothbrush once every three months. But it depends a lot upon the usage of the brush and there are many people who brush in a way that makes the toothbrush go in one month! If you brush with a heavy hand then the shape of the bristles might go away really soon. The key here is to get the right toothbrush for the mouth. You should go in for the bristles that are soft and always brush your teeth with light strokes.  Now days there are brushes that come with the indicator on the bristles that tell you when it’s the time to change for the new toothbrush. The indicator fades away on the usage of the brush and the moment it reaches the down part, and then it’s an indication that you now need a replacement. This is really helpful for the people who are not able to keep a track on the brushing habits. Apart from this, visiting the dentist once in every six months helps you to keep a tab on the good health of your gums and teeth.

Teeth contain one of the most sensitive nerve endings in the human body. This is why a toothache is equal to a brutal torture or worse. It is terrible to get inflicted by a toothache and you probably want to rush to the dentist. However, you may be in a situation where you can't, for example, it's late in the evening and the dentist's office is closed or you are busy with your job.

Well, you don't have to sit down and bear the pain. You do have options to do something about the toothache. A toothache usually occurs because the central portion of the tooth, called the pulp, gets inflamed. It can happen because of a cavity, a blow to the tooth or even an infection developing in your gums.

Here are your options when you get afflicted with a toothache.

Visit the Dentist

Your first order of business the next day is to visit the dentist. Even if you managed to get rid of the pain, get a checkup. A toothache is basically a message that is sent to your brain that something is wrong. The longer you wait to visit the dentist, the more damage you are risking.

Clean your Teeth

Give your teeth a thorough cleaning.

- Brush your teeth, but avoid injuring the afflicted tooth.

- Floss it to make sure there aren't any food particles stuck between your teeth

- Rinse it with warm water mixed with salt. A tooth ache can be caused by a mild infection and warm salted water works well against it.

Cloves

Cloves are a favored natural home remedy. If you don't have cloves, you can head to the pharmacy and get access to clove oil. However, be sure to follow the instruction of the clove oil and completely avoid applying it on your gum. Instead, put it on the tooth that is aching. If some oil does slip up onto your gum, be ready for a burning sensation.

Apply Ice

Either get an ice bag, frozen meat or a frozen pea packet and press the packet on the cheek that is hurting. Wrap the ice pack in a thin cloth or paper towel before you press it against your skin. This will lower the temperature of the whole area and help numb the nerves.

Do not apply ice directly to your tooth, it will only make the ache worse. This is because toothaches are very sensitive to hot and cold temperature.

Numbing Gel

You can get a numbing gel from the pharmacy and apply it on the tooth. This will temporarily numb it and help control the pain.

Apply Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen Peroxide is a disinfectant. Dip a Q-tip into the hydrogen peroxide and use it to clean the afflicted area. Wash your mouth after the process.

Take a Painkilller

If none of these methods don't work, then should you resort to a painkiller. Aspirin can provide quick relief to minor tooth aches.

Visit the Dentist

Your first order of business the next day is to visit the dentist. Even if you managed to get rid of the pain, get a checkup. A toothache is basically a message that is sent to your brain that something is wrong. The longer you wait to visit the dentist, the more damage you are risking.

So take care of your teeth and don't panic when you get a toothache, you don't have to lose the tooth!