Ten things that you can use an old toothbrush for

After a few months of brushing your teeth it might be time to change your toothbrush for a fresh one to continue cleaning your teeth. Many people fail to realise that old tooth brushes can be used for several difficult tasks. Here are ten great ways to get the most out of your old tooth brushes: 

1.      Surprisingly, tooth brushes are great for removing crayon stains from the wall. Carefully scrub with a solution of soap and water to remove the horrible mess that’s been stuck on your wall for weeks.

2.      A tooth brush is great for cleaning underneath your fingernails. The fine bristles get into hard to reach spaces and leave you with lovely looking nails. Apply soap underneath your nails and wait for 30 seconds, then with the tooth brush scrub to remove. 

3.      Cleaning your shoes can be difficult, but a tooth brush can get in between the tread of your shoes to remove dirt and stones. What many people don’t realise, however, is that it can also do a perfect job of tops of your shoes. Cleaning your shoe bit by bit and removing the dirt from the brush as you go along is sure to bring that shine back to your shoe.

4.      Did you know a computer keyboard can be dirtier than a toilet seat? Soften the bristles on an old tooth brush and use it to brush your keyboard including in between the gaps. This will ensure you purify your keyboard completely.

 

5.      Believe it or not a tooth brush is a great tool for removing splinters. Using some warm soapy water, gently rub the tooth brush over the affected area. This should help to bring the splinter to the surface.

6.      Everyone’s least favorite job when doing the dishes is that pesky grater. If you’re not careful it’s a recipe for injury. The tooth brush can stop all your worries. With its long stem and thin shape, it can reach and clean all the gaps that you would normally miss due to fear of injury.  

7.      It’s not just indoors that your old tooth brush is useful. Bike chains can be easily cleaned with a tooth brush. Getting full coverage and removing the debris from it will help your bike to run smoothly and avoid breakdowns.

8.      Keep your delicate jewelry in tip top condition. A tooth brush is great for doing this without causing any damage to your valuables. Use gentle circular motions to maintain the colour and bring back that priceless shine.

9.      Keep your fingers clean when cleaning the fish tank. Avoid getting your hands dirty by using a tooth brush. The soft bristles allow for a quick and easy clean and will result in a perfect shiny tank.     

10.  Are you forever struggling to remove stains from your bathroom tiles? A toothbrush is the answer. Get stuck in with an old toothbrush to for great results. The small, soft bristles provide great cleaning to those irregular, rough surfaces.

How about that? Ten great ways to use that old tooth brush. Who knew there were so many fantastic ways they could be used? Midlands Smile Centres has a range of great blogs covering everything you need to know about dental services, facts and figures and how to maintain an awesome set of teeth. Be sure to check out some of our other blogs and head to the site to find out more about MSC and how our services could benefit you.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Smile Dentistry

Smile dentistry covers an entire range of cosmetic dentistry treatments that are available for those who would like to improve their smile. Finding the right treatment can be difficult because there is such a wide variety available on the market today. Here we will discuss a few of the most common ones with their benefits and drawbacks.

White Fillings

White Fillings are an alternative option to grey metal amalgam fillings. They are suitable when all that is needed is an ordinary filling.

Whilst in the past white fillings were weaker than metal fillings and not expected to last as long, in recent years the composite used for white fillings has become much stronger. Nowadays, white fillings will last almost as long as ordinary grey amalgam fillings, whilst also being much more aesthetically pleasing to look at.

Pros: 

- simple and relatively cheap

- natural looking
- can make you look younger
- cosmetically appealing
- will make you feel less self-conscious than silver fillings
- strong and durable

Cons:    

- they don’t last quite as long as metal fillings
- usually slightly more expensive than metal fillings
- they will not cover up or remove any other imperfections in your teeth

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is a process that whitens teeth, removing common stains such as those caused by coffee, smoking and alcohol. The process involves teeth whitening trays, which are filled with whitening gel and worn for a few hours every day for a few weeks until the desired result is achieved.

Pros:     

- sparkling, pure white teeth in just a few weeks

- quick results with minimum expense and effort

- you are in control, simply stop the treatment when you are satisfied with the results you see

- this treatment can be used for different degrees of tooth discolouration.
- when using Midlands Smile Centres, you will be given the latest tooth whitening gels, containing the legally safe amount of peroxide.
- with MSC you can expect bespoke trays that offer greater comfort and a better result.

Cons:   

- Tooth whitening is not suitable for use if you have veneers, implants or other dental work in your front teeth. The whitening gel will not bleach artificial work in the same way that it will natural teeth so you may end up with an uneven result. Your dentist will be able to advise you on the best solution for you.

- tooth whitening involves the use of peroxide which can cause irritation. If you have sensitive skin, it may not be suitable for you to use tooth whitening gels.

Airflow

This is a specialised polishing treatment that utilises a pressurised blast of air, water and sodium bicarbonate to clear away stains, build-up of plaque and to clean between your teeth.

Pros:     

- effective cleaning

- faster than regular methods of plaque and stain removal
- comfortable
- suitable for those with sensitive teeth
- no risk of irritation or burns
- can reduce teeth sensitivity

Cons:    

- this treatment will not cover up or remove any flaws or imperfections in your teeth

- may not be suitable for all teeth. Your dentist will be able to advise you.

For more information on airflow visit our website.

Gold Services

Gold services include: gold teeth implants, gold crowns/custom crown designs, gold inlays and gold veneers. All of these are available at Midlands Smile Centres.

Pros:     

- various practical benefits depending on what you choose, such as tooth restoration and replacing missing teeth

- visual impact
- a stylish twist on conventional forms of dental treatment
- longer lasting and more durable than white composite or grey amalgam solutions

Cons:    

- very visible, which will not be for everyone

                        
Visit our website for more information on various gold services and treatments.

Veneers

Veneers are tooth-coloured and are usually made of porcelain. They come in thin layers and are placed over teeth that are either damaged, discoloured, decayed or have an irregular shape to hide the disfigurement.  They can also be used to mask misaligned teeth.

Pros:     

- great aesthetic results

- minimal tooth destruction
- often just one or two veneers can make a huge improvement to your smile

Cons:    

- when placing the veneer, a part of the outer surface of the tooth is removed to make room for the veneer, so that it aligns correctly with the teeth around it. This is usually not as great as in a filling, inlay or crown but it still involves some original tooth removal.

Your Choice

There are a number of options available to you for Smile Dentistry. Take your time and consider what is involved and what is right for you before making your decision. Smile Dentistry can really make a difference to your smile and increase your confidence, so it’s important to make the right choice.

Get in touch with Midlands SmilesCentres today and find out what we can do for you.        

Shaping Your Smile with Implants

This Blog has been updated and can now be found here