How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush 

You know it is the right time to buy a new shampoo or toothpaste when the bottle is over, but how do you know when it’s time to get a new toothbrush? When you use the same toothbrush for a long period of time then the process is not as efficient and it can even cause more harm than good to your teeth and gums. 

All the items that we utilize in our daily routine have a specific “lifespan” and we need to know when it is the appropriate time to replace them in order to be completely healthy. Keep reading and learn when is the most appropriate moment to replace your toothbrush.

Why is it Important to Choose the Most Appropriate Toothbrush?

It is necessary to pay noteworthy attention to choosing the most appropriate toothbrush as many times the wrong toothbrush can cause you more harm than good. There are two essential questions that you necessitate to take into consideration when choosing your toothbrush.

Do you Need a Soft or Hard Toothbrush?

The majority of dentists recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush as you are less likely to injure your teeth or gums with it. This is specifically true for those who tend to brush their teeth strenuously. Although, you must better choose a toothbrush that is in the suitable size for your mouth.

Should You Buy an Electric or Manual Toothbrush?

This is the second question you need to take into consideration. It should be acclaimed that both of these types are equally efficient for your mouth. If you belong to the category of people who tend not to brush their teeth for a long period of time or as meticulously as they should, then maybe the electric toothbrush is the optimal solution for you.

How Often You Must Replace Your Toothbrush?

Do you remember when was the last time you changed your toothbrush? It’s probably been a long time.

According to the American Dental Association, you must replace your toothbrush about every three months. A simple way to remember when to change your toothbrush is to change your toothbrush whenever the season changes. 

Toothbrushes may need to be changed even earlier if they are worn out or if you have just passed on a virus or other illness. The reason why you need to change your toothbrush when you have passed on a virus or other illness is that germs are hidden in the toothbrush’s bristles and lead to a re-infection, even when someone is very healthy. 

Viruses, fungi or bacteria can grow as a first step in your toothbrush and then in your teeth, gums or mouth.

It does not matter if you are using a manual or electric toothbrush, the rule of changing your toothbrush every 3 months applies in both cases. You must purchase a new toothbrush or new head for your electric toothbrush every 3 months.

Why Should Someone Change Toothbrush?

By the time the bristles of your toothbrush start to bend, then they cannot clean your teeth as efficiently as before. The bristles begin to break and lose their capability to get into the gaps and recesses around your teeth and gums. When you touch your teeth with your tongue then you will experience a feeling of slipperiness. If you do not have such a feeling then your toothbrush apparently does not work properly anymore.

Eventually, when the toothbrush does not work properly anymore then it might become breeding ground for viruses, bacteria as well as fungi. Those kinds of bacteria can come from a disease or even merely from the usage of a non-appropriate toothbrush. When you do not replace your toothbrush on a regular basis, all these effortlessly removed gems are settled advantageously in the back part of your mouth.

If you keep your toothbrush in the bathroom, it might be contaminated with feces. Every time you use the cistern then water particles are released in the environment and this might contain feces. You must keep in mind that except for you there are other people who also use your bathroom and this is a dangerous factor for your oral hygiene and health. In order to avoid this problem, your toothbrush must not be in contact with anything else and this is why you should keep it in a safe and clean environment. 

How Long Does a Toothbrush Last?

A toothbrush can last for a very long period of time, but that does not mean it should be used until it is obsolete. The toothbrush should be replaced on a regular basis. However, you must keep in mind that buying a new toothbrush every 3 months is not a waste of money, but a care for your oral health.

Another reason why this is not a waste is because throwing away plastics, such as toothbrushes 4 times a year, should be considered alternatively, in order to create another different kind of toothbrush, such as bamboo toothbrushes that will be obsolete in a natural manner or more environmentally friendly alternatives.

How to Take Care of Your Toothbrush?

In order to maintain your toothbrush as well as your overall health, it would be better if you let your toothbrush dry in a natural way, between the uses. After usage, your toothbrush must be shaken well under clean running water and stored upright in order to ventilate correctly.

You must not touch other things or surfaces when you store your toothbrush so that viruses, bacteria and other germs are not transmitted in your toothbrush and the teeth, gums and mouth. When someone from your family or friendly environment is sick at your home, it is a better idea to separate their toothbrush in order to avoid infecting other people.

The simple answer to how often the toothbrush should be replaced is every 3 months but it is essential to change it when the particles wear out or when we go through some diseases or discomforts.

To Conclude

Your toothbrush is an essential tool for your oral health and hygiene. In order to maintain the lifespan of your toothbrush you should store it and let it air dry appropriately.

Do not forget to replace your toothbrush every 3 months and mark a date of purchasing that you will always remember to replace it again. 

Our dental clinic can recommend extensive ways to control and keep your oral hygiene efficiently. For more tips about at-home oral hygiene, you can contact our staff via phone number or email. 

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