While it is especially important to wash your hands often, avoid close contact, and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, maintaining and protecting oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season...

Guard Yourself Against Flu Germs
By Maintaining Your Oral Hygiene Equipment

Steps to protect your toothbrush from bacteria.

CHICAGO – November 2, 2004 – With the shortage of influenza vaccines this year, Americans not immunized will want to diligently guard themselves against the sniffling and sneezing germs. While it is especially important to wash your hands often, avoid close contact, and cover your mouth and nose with a tissue, maintaining and protecting oral hygiene equipment is also important this flu season.

“In addition to daily wear and tear a toothbrush goes through, overtime it can become contaminated with bacteria, blood, saliva and toothpaste,” said Dr. Michael P. Rethman, DDS, MS, and president of the American Academy of Periodontology. “Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is unaware of any adverse health effects directly related to toothbrush use, CDC's recommendation is to rinse the toothbrush thoroughly with water following brushing and to tap off excess water.”

To protect your toothbrush from bacteria, follow the steps listed below.

Do:

Do not:

“It's also important to take a good look at your toothbrush to see if the bristles are bent or frayed,” said Rethman. “The American Dental Association says that toothbrushes should be replaced every 3-4 months or sooner when the bristles become worn out or loose effectiveness.”

He also explained that a study showed that new toothbrushes removed significantly more plaque and gingivitis (the earliest stage of gum disease) than worn brushes.

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples including one titled How to Brush and Floss are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org.

About the AAP

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) is the professional organization for periodontists—specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also dentistry’s experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. They receive three additional years of specialized training following dental school, and periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAP has 8,000 members worldwide.

For more information, contact the AAP Public Affairs Department at meg@perio.org or 312/573-3242.

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