It’s time to brush up on your tooth brushing facts.

Chances are, you don’t spend that much time thinking about brushing your teeth – it’s just something you do when you wake up and before you go to sleep. But the humble toothbrush is actually a pretty crucial part of our lives that does more than just keep our smiles wide and bright.

To celebrate all things oral-care related, here are 5 facts about brushing that are the tooth and nothing but the tooth!

1.Too Close for Comfort

It may not be something you think about – or want to think about – but the aerosal affect when your toilet is flushed is, well, a thing. It’s recommended to keep your tooth brush at least 3 feet from the toilet (and even a little ways away from the edge of the sink, since a lot of dirty hands will be washed there).

Of course, not everyone has the luxury of a giant washroom, so always opt for more hygienic bristle options, and give your brush a thorough rinse before and after use!

2.Brushing for Better Health

Anyone who has seen a toothpaste commercial can tell you that brushing your teeth regularly can help prevent gingivitis and other oral diseases that lead to tooth decay, but did you know a healthy mouth has much more far-reaching effects on the body?

Periodontal diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth, which includes the gums – bleeding when brushing or flossing can be a sign of this. And, according to the NHS, there seems to be a link between periodontal diseases and other bodily afflictions, “for example cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, psoriasis, and respiratory infections”.**

3.Sharing is Caring

More than half of people surveyed said they’d be cool with sharing their toothbrush – 24% with a partner, 18% with a child, 7% with a friend and 6% with a celeb.

While ‘monkey see, monkey do’ is a great way to get kids brushing, we recommend getting a brush that’s the right size for their little mouths and developing chompers. And as for partners and friends, well, sometimes a gift set is a more highly appreciated gesture!

4.About Brushing Before Getting Busy…

Speaking of partners, when it’s time to get up close and personal, you’d think it makes sense to give your teeth a vigorous brush right? Well, sexual health educators suggest sticking to a mouthwash rinse right before and after instead:

Those same little cuts that brushing too hard with a standard brush can cause make you more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections during oral sex if you’re not also using a barrier method. Brush well ahead, or stick to a super soft silicone brush like ISSA 2 Sensitive!

5.A Day Well Spent

The average American will spend 38 days of their life brushing – if they’re sticking to the recommended 2 minutes per session. While the right song can help you stick to this ideal brushing time, you can also choose a brush that gives you instant feedback. ISSA mini 2 is a smaller sized brush (perfect for brushing on the go) with a little smiley face that lights up when you’re done!

** https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508374/