5 Things You Didn’t Know About Brushing Your Teeth

It’s time to brush up on your tooth-brushing facts. Chances are, you don’t spend that much time thinking about brushing your teeth - it’s just something you do when you wake up and before you go to sleep. But the humble toothbrush is actually a pretty crucial part of our lives that does more than just keep our smiles wide and bright. To celebrate all things oral-care related, here are 5 facts about brushing that is the tooth and nothing but the tooth!

1. Too Close for Comfort

It may not be something you think about - or want to think about - but the aerosol effect when your toilet is flushed is, well, a thing. It's recommended to keep your toothbrush at least 3 feet from the toilet (and even a little ways away from the edge of the sink since a lot of dirty hands will be washed there). Of course, not everyone has the luxury of a giant washroom, so always opt for more hygienic bristle options, and give your brush a thorough rinse before and after use!

2. Brushing for Better Health

Anyone who has seen a toothpaste commercial can tell you that brushing your teeth regularly can help prevent gingivitis and other oral diseases that lead to tooth decay, such as receding gums, but did you know a healthy mouth has much more far-reaching effects on the body? Periodontal diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth, which include the gums - bleeding when brushing or flossing can be a sign of this. And, according to the NHS, there seems to be a link between periodontal diseases and other bodily afflictions, “for example cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, psoriasis, and respiratory infections”.**

3. Sharing is Caring

More than half of the people surveyed said they’d be cool with sharing their toothbrush - 24% with a partner, 18% with a child, 7% with a friend, and 6% with a celeb. While ‘monkey see, monkey do’ is a great way to get kids brushing, we recommend getting a brush that’s the right size for their little mouths and developing chompers. And as for partners and friends, well, sometimes a gift set is a more highly appreciated gesture!

4. About Brushing Before Getting Busy...

Speaking of partners, when it’s time to get up close and personal, you’d think it makes sense to give your teeth a vigorous brush, right? Well, sexual health educators suggest sticking to a mouthwash rinse right before and after instead: Those same little cuts that brushing too hard with a standard brush can cause make you more vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections during oral sex if you’re not also using a barrier method. Brush well ahead, or stick to a super soft silicone brush like issa™ 4! 

5. A Day Well Spent

The average American will spend 38 days of their life brushing - if they’re sticking to the recommended 2 minutes per session. While the right song can help you stick to this ideal brushing time, you can also choose a brush that gives you instant feedback. issa™ 4 smile is a smaller-sized brush (perfect for brushing on the go) with a little smiley face that lights up when you’re done! 

FOREO Oral Health Week: Up to 50% off with code MYSMILE

March 20 - March 29, 2026

We can imagine that even in caveman times, a guy with a flashy smile could compete against the burliest, the hairiest, and the best hunter. We care for (genuine) smiles and always have (dishonest ones seem like a predatory grin, eww). It is a way of communication and one of the things we notice about a person, forming first impressions in as fast as one-tenth of a second to seven seconds, largely through non-verbal communication. So from March 20 - March 29, 2026, we're here to celebrate smiles all around the globe with FOREO Oral Health Week, where you can grab up to 50% off (starting as low as $9.80) exclusive silicone sonic toothbrushes and replacement brusheads from the issa™ collection with MYSA code MYSMILE.

FOREO's issa™ hit the shelves in 2014, fusing sonic-pulse technology with plush silicone and offering the most significant oral care advance in 70 years. issa™ collections offer complete, 4-in-1 oral care for teeth, gums, tongue & cheeks in an elegant medical-grade silicone body, a full year of brushing on a single charge, and a long-lasting, flexible Hybrid (ultra-hygienic silicone and PBT polymer) or 100% silicone brush heads for kids and sensitive gums and teeth. You've never had something so gentle be so tough on plaque and buildup. Go browse these deals, find your favorite, use your MYSMILE code at checkout, and enjoy life. Smile like you mean it. 

FIND YOUR FAVORITE issa™