The conditions are more than optimal. Wet, warm and full of recesses, the mouth is the perfect ecosystem to keep fungi, viruses, protozoa and at least 700 species of bacteria that live in it. It is the second most populated microbiome in the body, after which it lives in the digestive system. These microorganisms initiate the digestion process and take care of oral health, but they can also trigger misfortunes from which bad breath and plaque accumulation are only the beginning. "Poor oral hygiene can lead to problems such as cavities or periodontitis [an infection in the gums], but also in much more serious ailments such as myocardial infarction, erectile dysfunction and even dementia," explains Bruno Baracco, spokesman from the Madrid Dental Association and professor at the Rey Juan Carlos University. And most of us only have a handle with some bristles to defend ourselves.
There are numerous options for keeping the mouth zoo in order, such as flossing, mouthwash, interdental brushes and tongue cleaners, but the king of brushing is still the toothbrush . It is since the Egyptians invented this tool that, however humble, seems unimportant. It is not, and you know less about it than you should.
Electric is not always better, and hard brushes are not
Saving small changes in design and materials, little has been done by our brushes since the time of Tutankhamen. The maximum technological development we have reached is to give the brush the ability to move on its own. The selection between the manual and the electric version of this utensil is a matter mainly of tastes (and pockets, a package of three manuals is around 3 euros, while an electric one starts from about 20 euros and each head costs around 5 euros). " Our teeth don't care ," they say from the American Dental Association. But there are exceptions. "If there are no hygiene problems, I would not recommend an electric brush. Although there are cases such as those of people with mobility problems in the wrist, such as the elderly, children or those who are dedicated to the care of others for whom they are recommended: it is easier to clean all areas with them, even the most inaccessible, "says Baracco.
The user manual is the same: forming a 45 degree angle between the brush and the gums, we move it from top to bottom, from front to back and in circles, without forgetting any part of the teeth - the outside, the inside and the part for which we chew. And without forgetting to give a good review of the tongue , which at the microscopic level has enough recesses so that self-invited microorganisms accumulate. It is a simple exercise that must be repeated twice a day and for two minutes at a time.
Simple? Maybe not, because we don't comply. "We don't give it the importance it deserves," says Baracco. And the data corroborate what it says. Around 21% of the Spanish population only brush their teeth once a day, 4% do it occasionally (not every day) and just over 1% never brush , reveals a National Institute survey of Statistics. And it's not about rubbing more or choosing a brush with the hardest bristles. On the contrary, dentists recommend soft ones because they do not damage the gums or tooth enamel, a fact that should be remembered every time we have to renew the brush, that is, every three or four months at most. Now, "after passing a flu or an infection in the mouth" you also have to get rid of it, says Baracco.
The French do it better
Renewing the toothbrush is essential to maintain hygiene, something that would be perfectly clear if we saw the bristles under a microscope: we would find around 10 million bacteria, as several studies have revealed. Many of these tenants come from our mouths, but others are unwanted stowaways — such as E. coli or Staphylococcus , bacteria that cause disease and infection. These microbes move from less paradisiacal areas of the bathroom in the most eschatological way one can imagine . Every time we pull the chain without lowering the lid of the toilet there is an explosion of fecal bacteria that reach the toothbrush, according to research presented at the American Society of Microbiology in 2015. Once installed, they pass to our mouth it's a matter of time. The good news is that, so far, there is no evidence that these bacteria housed in the bristles of the brush have caused any health problems, says the American Dental Association. What the institution does not say is how many scientists have dedicated their time and precious resources to study the issue, so every precaution is little ...
This is the moment in which those who protect their brush with a hood rub their hands with joy and those who do not, take them to the head. Not so fast. "It is best to store it in the air in a bathroom with ventilation, which is neither too hot nor too humid," says Baracco. If possible two meters from the toilet, recommends the Australian National Dental Health Service. Point for our Gauls neighbors: according to Baracco, it would be best to have the toilet in one room and the sink in another, like the French. Since we do not increase the population of microorganisms in our mouths, we must not share the toothbrush with anyone . Not even with the couple. Although it is minimal, says the expert, "there is a risk of transmitting diseases that are spread through the blood, such as hepatitis C," according to the Australian National Dental Health Service. And, without a doubt, "it is a den."
The greenest option
If the life expectancy of the Spanish population is 83 years, and we must use at least three brushes every year since we have four (on the recommendation of the dentist), the average Spanish will dispose of 237 plastic utensils throughout its existence . With flu and other contingencies, let's round the figure to 250, multiply it by all Spaniards and let's get an idea of how many pieces of plastic the world population discards. "It can be recycled," many will think. Yes, but not in the easiest way. Do not throw them in the yellow container because their bristles make the recycling process difficult. "The most convenient thing is to look for a clean spot where they can be deposited," they recommend from Ecoembes. Another option is to give them a second life as a tool to clean the joints of the tiles or the soles of the shoes, or opt for instruments made with natural materials.
Bamboo toothbrush is the most common, although other types of wood are also used . Ideally, not to contaminate is to use those that also have animal hair bristles (sorry for vegans). There are other versions that use elements such as nylon, but when you have to throw them you have to separate the bristles from the handle. And not everything is goodness. Wood is more porous than plastic, which makes it a more cozy home with more places to house bacteria, so the specialist recommends changing them more frequently.
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