A really dead toothbrush—one badly worn and frayed, not necessarily just old—is like having no toothbrush at all.
In fact, you’re probably doing more harm than good if your brush has seen better days.
All dead toothbrushes should be given a decent burial. If you have doubts about the life left in your toothbrush, bring it in at your next appointment, and we can assess the damage. We’ve seen a lot of sorry-looking brushes, but maybe yours will take the prize.
Why they should R.I.P.
- Plaque will stick with you. A dead toothbrush doesn’t stand up to plaque, which means you simply won’t get your teeth so clean. And a new brush works more quickly at plaque tasks.
- You can make yourself sick. Viruses love toothbrushes and stay lively a full week after you’re over the flu or a bout with cold sores. An ailing toothbrush makes a welcome home for bugs, especially when the bristles are bent and scraggly. Just when you’re feeling better, you can be reinfected. When you’re ill, change brushes every time you think of it.
- Watch those gums. A ratty toothbrush can damage gum tissue. A ratty, very hard toothbrush may even cause gums to recede.
Dr. Angela Burns moved to Austin 10 years ago and instantly fell in love with our beautiful city. Dr. Burns is originally from the Texarkana area. She attended Texas A&M for her undergraduate degree and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center for her degree in dental surgery (DDS). Dr. Burns is committed to providing her patients with gentle, technologically advanced dental treatment. She attends an average of 60 hours of continuing education every year. She is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Texas Dental Association, and the Capital Area Dental Society. Dr. Burns and her husband, Gary, have an 11-year-old daughter, Sydney, who is a proud 6th grader at Hill Country Middle School. She is also very involved in the Eanes PTO, her church, and loves raising her family in the Westlake community. “Growing up, I was drawn to mediating and helping others feel more included and less anxious. I was a camp counselor, student government officer and being the oldest of five, I was the family mediator. I found that I had a calling to help alleviate stressful situations for others and realized that being a good listener was something that was key to this. These skills really helped guide me into becoming a dentist that has based my practice on relationships, empathy and a sense of comfort. I knew that I wanted to provide an atmosphere that felt like home when others walked in. Our practice is small, personal and state of the art and we hope you feel like you’re hanging out with friends when you are here!” When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Burns enjoys traveling, hiking the greenbelt, enjoying Austin’s music scene, and eating Amy’s Ice Cream.
