Is Your Toothbrush Causing A Re-occurring Cold In Your Family?

Cold season is upon us and it is not uncommon for your kids to be sick over and over again. You may blame it on the weather, their friends, the school or that they may not have worn a coat when they went outside, but it may not be any of those things. It may be their toothbrush. It is critical to switch out their toothbrush if they have been sick and here’s the reason why.

While most dentists tell you that the bacteria on your toothbrush will die out when it hits oxygen, if your toothbrush is not completely dry when your child uses it, it can cause them to get sick again. Or if their toothbrush is in the drawer or a container with their sibling’s toothbrush, the strain of whatever they just had could cause a problem for their sibling while they can now get the illness that the other sibling had. This back and forth re-infecting each other can cause a nightmare for your house.

While dentists recommend, you change out your children’s toothbrush every 3-5 months, if your kids are sick, it is better safe than sorry. Toss that one and reach for another. As a general rule, however, never let your children share their toothbrush with a sibling, and you may want to re-think keeping them in the same location.  It is better if the toothbrushes are not in contact with one another.

For more information on keeping your family healthy during the cold season & general dental care, contact Dr. Lee and her team today.