the DENTIST is in Brush
the DENTIST is in Brush up on toothbrush hygiene Brushing your teeth gives a great feeling of cleanliness and freshness — but take care when storing your toothbrush, or you’ll get the opposite results. Did you know that it is possible to recontaminate yourself if you have been suffering from cold or flu by an infected toothbrush? Even worse, it may surprise — or sicken — you to know that if your toothbrush is stored near the toilet, the chances are great that it is covered with E. coli bacteria. Each time you flush the toilet, bacteria disperse in the air in the form of tiny particles. These bacteria land on the toothbrush and over the sink and other surfaces. To reduce the levels of bacteria floating around the bathroom, place to toilet lid down to keep aerosolized bacteria contained in the toilet chamber. Badee George Nassouri SPECIAL TO THE CHALDEAN NEWS When selecting toothpaste, some ingredients can actually help kill the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. This helps in reducing the self-cross-contamination of bacterial buildup in the toothbrush. Here are some other tips for infection control with toothbrushes: • Don’t share. Toothbrush sharers are at increased risk for infections, a particularly important consideration for persons with compromised immune systems or infectious diseases. • After brushing, rinse your toothbrush thoroughly with tap water to ensure the removal of toothpaste and debris. Allow it to air-dry and store it in an upright position. • If multiple brushes are stored in the same area, do not allow them to contact each other. Did you know that it is possible to recontaminate yourself if you have been suffering from cold or flu by an infected toothbrush? • It is not necessary to soak toothbrushes in disinfecting solutions or mouthwash. This practice may actually lead to cross-contamination of toothbrushes if the same disinfectant solution is used over a period of time by multiple users. • It is unnecessary to use dishwashers or microwave ovens to disinfect toothbrushes. These measures may damage them. • Do not routinely cover toothbrushes or store them in closed containers. This creates a humid environment that is more conducive to bacterial growth than the open air. • Replace your toothbrush every four months if the bristles appear worn or splayed. This recommendation of the American Dental Association is based on the expected wear of the toothbrush and its subsequent loss of mechanical effectiveness, not on its bacterial contamination. Badee George Nassouri practiced dentistry in Baghdad for 40 years. Now retired, he resides in Madison Heights. 32 CHALDEAN NEWS AUGUST 2009
from the ARCHIVES scenes of summers past 1 1. Jean Meram Najjar strikes a pose in the 1950s. Her parents, Joe and Hacina Meram, were among the first pre-World War II Chaldean pioneers to America. 2. A lazy afternoon on Cass Lake: Josephine Saroki (left), Shammamta Dickow and her son Bobby, and Vickie Saroki and her mother Zarifa Saroki circa late 1940s/early 50s. Photos courtesy of the Chaldean Cultural Center. The CCC is always looking to add to its collection of vintage pictures and document that depict the community in both Iraq and America. Call (248) 681-5050 to learn more or contribute items. 2 3 3. Tom Matti and his wife Katu (Katherine) were the first pioneer family to buy a cottage on Cass Lake. The family often took friends and relatives out on their Chriscraft motorboat, seen here in the late 1940s or early 1950s. AUGUST 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS 33
