Getting the most out of toothbrushes and toothpaste

Recent studies show that good tooth care is essential to preventing serious medical problems. Here are some tips to help you take care of your teeth and get the most out of your toothbrushes and toothpaste.

• Get a clean, fresh toothbrush without buying a new one. If your old brush is still serviceable, try putting it in the dishwasher with the silverware.
• The high heat and detergent that kills bacteria on dishes and silverware will also work on the brush.
• If you have a "sanitize" setting on your dishwasher, make sure to use it when washing the toothbrush.
• This will also extend the life of the brush heads of electric toothbrushes.

• Many people tend to brush their teeth too hard.
• Dentists say that putting too much pressure on your toothbrush when you clean your teeth can actually harm your gums.
• It also wears out the bristles on the toothbrush much faster. This is true of the brush-head attachments for electric toothbrushes as well.
• If you want to replace your toothbrush a little less often than the every three months that dentists recommend, let up on the pressure that you apply to your toothbrush.

• Before you start using a tube of toothpaste, put a round, split-style clothespin on the bottom.
• Then as you use the toothpaste, wind the tube around the clothespin.
• This will keep pushing the unused toothpaste toward the top of the tube and reduce the hassle of using your fingers to squeeze the tube when it is nearly empty.

• Whether you use a clothespin or your fingers to squeeze the tube, there will still be enough toothpaste in it for two or three more brushings even when you can't force it out of the opening at the top.
• That's when it's time to perform a bit of minor surgery on your toothpaste tube.
• Just slice the tube open and pick up some of the remaining toothpaste inside on your brush.
• When you're done loading the toothbrush, close up the tube with a paper (or bulldog) clip.

• Why buy expensive toothpaste when you can easily make your own tooth powder that's just as good? Just shake together equal amounts of baking soda and salt in a small container.
• When you brush, just sprinkle a small amount on your wet toothbrush and brush as usual.

When it is time to buy a new toothbrush, don't throw out the old one. That old brush may be retired from cleaning teeth, but it can still have an extended, productive life assisting with numerous household chores. Clean it in the dishwasher; then save it for any of the following uses:

• Clean artificial flowers and plants, combs, silverware, shower-door tracks, crevices between tiles, typewriter keys and computer keyboards, around faucets and telephones.

• Clean a grater or garlic press before putting it in the dishwasher.

• Use with a stain-removing agent to remove stains on clothing.

• Remove clingy strands of silk from fresh corn ears.

• Oil and clean a waffle iron.

• Use to apply hair dye.

• Dip in soapy water to clean between appliance buttons and raised-letter nameplates.