How often should you change your toothbrush? If it’s been months and you are using the same old toothbrush to clean your teeth, it would be best to change it now. Replacing your toothbrush can help prevent oral diseases and infection and ensure you’re maximizing the cleaning benefits. So, how often should you replace your toothbrush?
Frequency of Changing Toothbrush
According to the majority of dentists, you should have a new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. This means you’ll buy three or four toothbrushes in a year. This frequency is acceptable and effective if you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, as recommended by oral professionals.
The reason behind changing the toothbrushes is that they lose their cleaning capabilities. The bristles may deform or shred away, which will compromise the performance. Worn-out bristles cannot effectively clean the areas between teeth and around the gum line.
A toothbrush can also become home to germs. There are a few chances that viruses can make you sick twice, but bacteria can linger on the toothbrush bristles. These germs can pass on to the toothpaste and make your family members sick if you use a shared toothpaste.
When to Replace Your Toothbrush More Frequently
In certain situations, you may like to change your toothbrush more often – after every 12 weeks. A few people are too much concerned about brushing their teeth. Such people brush their teeth any time they eat. If you’re one of those who brush their teeth thrice or more times a day, your toothbrush will wear off more quickly.
If you have an electric toothbrush, it has a different set of replacement instructions. Follow these guidelines to know how often you should change your electric toothbrush.
Therefore, you might see signs of wear and tear before the three-month deadline.
The nylon bristles on electric toothbrushes wear away more quickly (due to friction) because they rotate rapidly as compared to manual toothbrushes. The other reason is that the bristles are shorter on the electric toothbrush. Therefore the bristles may deteriorate somewhere before 3 months.
How To Know When Time Has Come For Your Old Toothbrush
The bristles must be springy but sturdy enough to eliminate the plaque and food debris. When you begin to notice damage on the bristles, know that it’s time to toss away your toothbrush.
When the bristles start staying in a curved form, the time has come. Throw it away and buy a new one.
Another important factor to consider is cleanliness. If you fail to clean your toothbrush properly, residue can accumulate around the handle and at the bottom of the bristles. This build-up can gather bacteria, and you can become ill. If the toothbrush is appearing to be dull, change it with a new one.
Schedule Your Appointment
If you live in Richmond, Texas, and are looking for a dental clinic for an oral exam, schedule an appointment with Mission Bend Family Dentistry. To book an appointment, call 832-895-5110.