With all the attention to bad breath, we often miss out on one item that can cause and perpetuate the problems of halitosis, and that is your toothbrush. Dentists recommend that you replace your toothbrush every 6 months, and more often if you have had recurring bacterial infections. Your toothbrush could be the culprit that is making you sick!

Looked at a certain way, the human mouth is really a disgusting, bacteria harboring place. Your toothbrush has the task of going in there repeatedly and cleaning things up. Well what do you think happens to all that bacteria and the disgusting stuff that you brush off your teeth and tongue? That’s right - it collects onto your toothbrush - just waiting for the opportunity to get back into your mouth and infect you again, and at the very least, cause that horrible bad breath that drives you crazy.

Okay, so it isn’t really as malicious and calculating as all that. But this does make you think twice about how long you have kept that old toothbrush. Many dentists give their patients a new toothbrush at their biannual visit. This is a great reminder to throw out the old brush and bring in a new one. Most toothbrushes are relatively inexpensive, and if you do the math, they cost pennies for each use. The bacteria in that old toothbrush can be the cause of your halitosis.

Style of toothbrush really has no effect on bad breath. You can pick the kind you like the best, whether it is battery operated with all kinds of fancy moving parts, or just a simple old-fashioned toothbrush, with good technique, they all work pretty much the same. Many people will tell you that a particular brand of toothbrush is superior to others, and that you need the latest, cutting edge technology to get the best cleaning effect and prevent bad breath.

Technique is really the most important aspect of brushing teeth in the fight against bad breath and in pursuing good oral hygiene. Dentists recommend that we spend at least two minutes actually brushing to do a good job, and dividing that into thirty seconds per section of the mouth.

Use gentle, short strokes and move the toothbrush back and forth against the teeth and gums. Be sure to brush the front of your teeth, the chewing surfaces, and the inside portion where the tongue rests. Don’t forget to brush the gum line and brush your tongue, too. These are important steps in eliminating bad breath.

Once you are certain that you are following the best possible routine for keeping your mouth clean and your breath fresh, be sure that you are using the best tools for the job. If you haven’t done so lately, consider a new toothbrush. It may be the most important change you can make towards eliminating the bacteria that cause bad breath.