When Should I Replace My Toothbrush?
It’s no secret that brushing your teeth is one of the first lines of defense against tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing your teeth for two minutes, twice a day, will do a lot to keep your mouth healthy and your smile bright. However, to get the most out of your tooth-brushing efforts, you want to be sure your toothbrush is working as well as it can, and that means replacing it when it’s no longer doing its job.
How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush?
A toothbrush should be replaced at least every three months, whether it’s a manual toothbrush or the head of an electric toothbrush. If your toothbrush is going to sweep away food particles, bacteria, and plaque, the bristles must be intact. With daily use, after 3 months the bristles start to bend, twist, and lose the spring that makes them effective.
Reasons to Change Out Your Toothbrush
Switching toothbrushes after three months of use is the bare minimum to be sure you’re getting the most from your toothbrush. To be sure when to change your toothbrush you will need to keep an eye on the bristles of your brush, and if they seem to be mangled and worn, it is well worth getting a new one. Children often chew on their toothbrushes, wearing them down quickly, so check them often for signs of wear.
You should also replace your family’s toothbrushes whenever someone is sick. The damp bristles offer ideal hiding places for viruses and bacteria, so a new brush will protect your family and give you peace of mind. Similarly, if anyone uses someone else’s toothbrush, pitch it, and get a new one.
Along with routine dental visits, making sure your toothbrush is still fresh enough to do the job it is made to do is one way to keep your teeth clean and healthy. We’d love to help you take care of your teeth here at Dr. Evans Cosmetic and General Dentistry in Boulder, CO. Call us at 303-442-0990 or click here to set up an appointment online today.
