While you may want to get the most out of your toothbrush, or maybe you just cannot remember to switch it out, your toothbrush needs to replaced regularly. The timeline may be different depending on if you use an electronic or manual brush and the appearance of your bristles. However, you should replace your toothbrush at least every three months, and possibly even more often depending on certain factors.
Factors to Consider for Replacing Your Toothbrush
- Manual Brush: If you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes, your toothbrush will likely need to be replaced every three months. If you brush more than this, consider what the bristles look like as any sign of fraying or wear means it’s time to replace your brush.
- Electric Brush: If you clean your teeth with an electric brush, it may need to be replaced sooner than three months. This is because the toothbrush heads have nylon bristles, which wear down quickly after only regular use (brushing twice a day for two minutes). The bristles are also shorter, which means they can fray more easily. Replacing your electronic toothbrush every three months is recommended. Replace the brush sooner if there is any sign of fraying.
- Illness in the Family: If you or a family member is sick, its best to switch out the toothbrush. Some families may place their toothbrushes in the same holder, which can mean that illness can spread. If this is the case, it’s safer to switch out your brush just to be safe.
- Children’s Brushes: You may need to replace your child’s toothbrush sooner than three months. Kids tend to chew on brushes and can leave more harmful bacteria on their brush. Keep an eye on your child when they brush as many will put it in harmful places or drop it. In that case, switch it out sooner just to be safe.
- Individual Use: While it’s well known that toothbrushes should not be shared, be sure to switch out yours if anyone uses it by mistake. Your mouth and gums are filled with harmful bacteria, so your toothbrush should not be shared.
Risks of Delaying Replacement
While you may forget or just want to get some extra use out of your brush, replacing your brush every three months is vital for your oral health. There are risks to getting extra time out of your brush that is harmful to your oral and gum health. Research has shown that even after forty days of consistent use of your brush, the bristles begin to flare and cause your toothbrush to be less effective. The same study found that those who did not replace their brush after just 40 days had more plaque buildup. Plaque buildup is the cause of gum disease, which impacts your oral health and affects your overall health.
If you can’t remember to replace your toothbrush, find some way to remind yourself. You can set an alarm on your phone, write down a reminder on a post-it and keep it in your bathroom area, or even use a marker on the bottom of your brush to mark the expiration date. Whatever your method, be sure and change your brush at least every three months.
Measures for Toothbrush Care
Because your toothbrush helps defend against bacteria harming your mouth, taking good care of it is essential for your oral health. Below you will find some helpful tips on keeping your brush clean.
- No Sharing: Do not let anyone else use your toothbrush. If you keep your toothbrush in a community holder, don’t let the brush heads touch.
- Rinse: After you use your toothbrush, rinse the brush entirely with water. This is the best way to keep it clean after each use.
- Air Out: Do not put your brush in a closed container. This can invite mold growth and bacteria. Keep your toothbrush out in the open so it can air out.
Dentists in Burbank, California
If you are looking for a new dentist, contact Coastland Dental for an appointment. Whether you need a checkup or have some dental issue that needs to be looked at, the team at Coastland Dental is experienced and ready to diagnose and treat your dental concerns. From teeth whitening and veneers to orthodontics, the dentists at Coastland Dental are experienced and focused on patient care. Contact Coastland Dental today to set up an appointment!