Can Your Child’s Toothbrush Stand Up to Germs?

November 16, 2006 -- When it comes to good oral hygiene, making sure children learn to brush their teeth regularly and thoroughly is just part of the game. According to many dental and health professionals, toothbrush care is just as important as caring for the teeth themselves.

Many a bathroom counter bears a scary resemblance to a round of pick-up sticks – with kids’ and possibly even adults’ toothbrushes strewn randomly across the surface, and each other. When left lying by the sink, toothbrushes are far more likely to remain in contact with moisture and germs, says Dr. Fresh, the Buena Park, California based creator of the popular FIREFLY® TOOTHBRUSH. Dr. Fresh offers these tips to help keep toothbrushes at the top of their game:

• Teach children never to share or borrow each other’s toothbrushes. Unintentional sharing can be avoided by making sure each child gets to pick a special color or character. Dr. Fresh’ FLOAT’N FIREFLY® WITH FEET comes in a rainbow of colors and offers a choice of characters like Dr. Dash, Lightning Lance, Pepperoni Pepe and more.
  
• Make sure your child rinses her toothbrush thoroughly with tap water after brushing.
• Toothbrushes should be allowed to dry thoroughly after each use; oxygen will help kill bacteria.
  
• Always store toothbrushes upright. The Float’n FireFly with Feet has its own cute foot-shaped stand for instant upright, hygienic storage. The brush avoids contact with the sink as well as other brushes, and dries faster.
  
• If you store brushes in a cup or a holder designed for multiple toothbrushes, make sure the brushes don’t touch each other.
  
• Don’t store wet toothbrushes in closed containers or dark places as their moisture allows for bacteria to grow. (It’s okay to store a toothbrush in a plastic case for travel if it’s thoroughly dry. Just be sure to take it out for air once you reach your destination.)
  
• Make sure you replace toothbrushes about every three months. Float’n FireFly with Feet has a light-up timer feature to make sure kids brush each arch – upper and lower – thoroughly. The feature stops working at three months, indicating it is time to get a new toothbrush!
  

The Float’n FireFly with Feet is available in an assortment of great translucent colors with fun and familiar characters at a suggested retail price of $2.99. It is available at mass merchandise stores like Target, Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Big-Lots and www.drugstore.com. The Float’n FireFly is a product of Dr. Fresh Inc., located in Buena Park, CA. Dr. Fresh manufactures a host of popular and affordable oral care and personal health products (www.drfresh.com).

SOURCE Dr. Fresh

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