Perform an Audit of Your Oral Health Tools This Fall

Temperatures are still warm right now, but fall weather is just around the corner here in Kansas City. Halloween decorations are beginning to show up in stores, pumpkin spice lattes are back, and the kids have returned to school. The changing of the seasons is a perfect time to remember another important change: getting a new toothbrush or brush head. Your Kansas City family dentist has some tips to help!

Whether you use an old-fashioned toothbrush or an electric toothbrush with rotating brush heads, you should replace the part that actually brushes your teeth every three to four months. There are many reasons for this, but here’s the simplest one: The soft bristles that actually do the brushing eventually begin to wear away. Some even change colors specifically to let you know that it’s time to change them.

That’s not the only reason to change your toothbrush, either. Even when you take really good care of them and keep them nice and clean, toothbrushes can accumulate bacteria over time. Some of those bacteria can be potentially harmful to your oral health. Getting a new brush or brush head every few months helps prevent that.

While you’re at it, why not perform an audit of all the stuff that you use on your teeth and in your mouth? Toothpaste and mouthwash last a long time, but even they have an expiration date. Check the dates on any oral care items you use, and throw out anything that’s close to expiration. This goes for toothpaste, mouthwash, mouth rinses, fluoride treatments, lip balm, and any medications or topical ointments that you use for oral care such as cold-sore remedies.

Make sure that you’re well stocked on floss. If you send micro-flossers or other travel-sized dental care supplies with the kids to school, it’s probably a good idea to pick up some more of those, too. Check all the bathrooms and everywhere that family members keep dental hygiene supplies. If the kids keep a spare toothbrush in their school bag, it may be time to replace that one, too.

Once you’ve done all that, you can really make the most of your trip to pick up new toothbrushes, brush heads, and whatever else you may need. When picking out new supplies, be sure to get ones that are suitable for the dental health needs of each member of your family and select brushes and brush heads with softer bristles to avoid damaging the enamel of your teeth. Look for toothpaste and other items with the ADA seal of approval and consider toothpaste for sensitive teeth if any of your family suffers from heightened tooth sensitivity as the weather changes.

There’s one other thing that’s always good to do when the seasons change: schedule a visit to see your Kansas City family dentist. You should be seeing us for routine cleanings and check-ups twice a year, so if you haven’t had your fall check-up yet, call Blacker Family Dental in Kansas City, MO at (816) 763-8400 or click here to schedule an appointment.