Well, the jury is still out on whether or not “April Showers Bring May Flowers” but we can tell you one thing that IS true: your old dental products are more valuable than you think when you are bored on a rainy day!
At Porter Orthodontics, we recommend you replace your toothbrush approximately every three months or sooner if the bristles look worn during orthodontic treatment. When it’s time to switch, here are some way-cool alternatives to tossing out your old toothbrush and recycling them for other uses:
Brush Away Stains (On Your Walls and Clothes!)
Whoever invented the toothbrush was really on to something, because not only does a toothbrush clean your teeth, but it can also brush away stains!
• Crayon Marks: For some reason, kids always enjoy drawing on walls instead of on a piece of paper. Maybe they work better on a larger canvas. Whatever the reason, a dab of shaving cream and your old toothbrush is all you need to remove your child’s latest masterpiece! Remember: go easy on the pressure. You want to remove the crayon and not the paint underneath it!
• Fingernails and toenails: A little soap and water and your toothbrush will be attacking the dirt and grime that’s hiding under your nails, especially after playing outdoors.
• Sole Man: We hate it when we get mud stuck between the treads of our shoes or sandals. But now shoes don’t stand a chance when we go at the muddy soles with an old toothbrush and a little water. Don’t forget to use a little toothpaste to remove mud and scuff marks, especially on white sneakers.
You Look Marvelous…
Consider these other uses as well:
• Hair Brush: Keep your hairbrush free of hair accumulation by going at it with your toothbrush.
• Pet care: Come on, so you actually think we’d forget your pet? Anything we can use the toothbrush for is equally good for your dog, cat, mouse, or monkey. So go ahead and brush to your heart’s content! Your pet will love you for it!
Arts, Crafts and Maintenance
Time to get creative! Indoors or outdoors, playing or working. You can do it better with your old toothbrush.
• Clean Appliances: Sometimes I find enough breadcrumbs in the toaster to make a sandwich. Next time I’ll use a toothbrush to reach in and clean out the crumbs. And by the way: UNPLUG the toaster (or any other appliance) first.
• Jewelry: Think outside the box…boil old toothbrush handles and bend them into different shapes. Make bracelets for your wrists and ankles, rings, and chains. Whatever you like! Use dental floss to add beads and create unique jewelry. A toothbrush is also great to scrub your jewelry. Use toothpaste to help polish your stones and jewels.
It goes without saying that the best use for your toothbrush is keeping your teeth and gums clean. But it’s also fun to recycle that old brush and put it to use inside our outside your home!
Have any ideas on how to make use of your old toothbrush? Leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you…