Editing Toothbrush (section)

{{Short description|Oral hygiene tool}}
{{Other uses|Toothbrush (disambiguation)}}
[[File:Toothbrush x3 20050716 001.jpg|thumb|alt=plastic toothbrushes |Three plastic toothbrushes]]

A '''toothbrush''' is a special type of [[brush]] used to clean the [[Human tooth|teeth]], [[gingiva|gums]], and [[tongue]]. It consists of a head of tightly clustered [[bristle]]s, atop of which [[toothpaste]] can be applied, mounted on a [[handle (grip)|handle]] which facilitates the cleaning of hard-to-reach areas of the mouth. They should be used in conjunction with something to clean between the teeth where the bristles of the toothbrush cannot reach - for example [[Dental floss|floss]], tape, interdental brushes or toothpicks.

They are available with different bristle textures, sizes, and forms. Most [[dentist]]s recommend using a soft toothbrush since hard-bristled toothbrushes can damage [[tooth enamel]] and irritate the gums.<ref>[http://www.parisdentistry.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/orallongevity_brochure.pdf "Oral Longevity," American Dental Association brochure (PDF), page 2] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119223615/http://ada.org/sections/publicResources/pdfs/orallongevity_brochure.pdf |date=2010-11-19 }} Retrieved June 12, 2008</ref>

Because many common and effective ingredients in toothpaste are harmful if swallowed in large doses, tooth paste should instead be spat out. The act of brushing teeth is most often done at a [[sink]] within the kitchen or bathroom, where the brush may be rinsed off afterwards to remove any debris remaining and then dried to reduce conditions ideal for bacterial growth (and, if it is a [[wood]]en toothbrush, [[Mold (fungus)|mold]] as well).

Some toothbrushes have plant-based handles, often [[bamboo]]. However, numerous others are made of cheap [[plastic]]; such brushes constitute a significant source of pollution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greenecoservices.com/green-and-healthy-mouths-toothbrushes/ |title=Green and Healthy Mouths- Toothbrushes |author=Cathy |work=greenecoservices.com |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905180801/http://www.greenecoservices.com/green-and-healthy-mouths-toothbrushes/ |archive-date=2009-09-05 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://environment.about.com/od/earthtalkcolumns/a/toothbrush.htm |title=Can You Recycle Your Toothbrush? |author=Larry West |work=About.com News & Issues |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204041650/http://environment.about.com/od/earthtalkcolumns/a/toothbrush.htm |archive-date=2009-02-04 }}</ref> Over 1 billion toothbrushes are disposed of into [[landfill]]s annually in the [[United States]] alone.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/06/story-of-plastic-toothbrushes/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614175257/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/06/story-of-plastic-toothbrushes/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 14, 2019|title=How your toothbrush became a part of the plastic crisis|date=2019-06-14|website=Environment|access-date=2019-08-17}}</ref> Bristles are commonly made of [[nylon]] (which, while not [[biodegradable]], as plastic is, may still be [[recycling|recycle]]d), [[bamboo viscose]], or [[bristle]] of [[boar]].