Brushing your teeth is a vital and fundamental part of an oral routine to look after your teeth every day. To get the best results for your smile, you need to know the ins and outs of your toothbrush, and one of those aspects is understanding when to replace your toothbrush.
Your toothbrush is your first line of defence when it comes to keeping your teeth and gums strong and healthy. Without doing so, your dental health will degrade rapidly, meaning you’ll need to consider forking out expenses for dental treatments, which can become expensive.
Although, it’s important to note that toothbrushes aren’t designed to last forever, and understanding when to replace your toothbrush is important.
Everything you need to know about how often should you replace your toothbrush can be found right here.
How Often Should My Toothbrush Be Replaced?
It is highly recommended that you replace your toothbrush every three to four months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The main reason for this is that the bristles on your toothbrush are likely to become frayed and worn out.
The bristles on your toothbrush are designed to accumulate debris and bacteria off of your teeth for a cleaner smile, and when you notice that the bristles on your toothbrush have become soft and curled up, this means the bristles will no longer accumulate the bacteria on your teeth. This means you could end up doing more harm to your teeth than good, and the bacteria will spread to your teeth instead. This increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
What If I Have An Electric Toothbrush?
Electric toothbrush heads rotate and vibrate in a circular motion when gently pressed against the teeth. The electric toothbrush heads are made of nylon bristles that can also wear out gradually. Smaller bristles will fray more quickly.
Watch out for the signs of frayed bristles on your electric toothbrush and replace them where required. Typically, you should replace the head every eight to twelve weeks.
Other Reasons Why You Should Change Your Toothbrush
Replacing your toothbrush isn’t restricted to frayed bristles. Other reasons will require you to change your toothbrush.
- Bacterial Infections – If you have a bacterial infection or general sickness, it’s recommended that you change your toothbrush as a safety precaution. This is because germs attached to the toothbrush could multiply and increase the chances of contracting another form of infection.
- Brush Your Teeth Too Hard – The bristles on your toothbrush will wear out quicker if you brush your teeth too hard. It’s recommended that you press your toothbrush gently in a circular motion for the bristles to last longer.
- If A Toothbrush Touches Another – if your toothbrush comes in contact with another toothbrush, then change it as you don’t want to contract any bacteria from another toothbrush.
- If Anyone Uses Your Toothbrush – If someone has used your toothbrush by mistake, then get rid of the toothbrush. Again, you don’t want to harbour the bacteria from another person’s mouth.
How Can I Take Care Of My Toothbrush?
To ensure that your toothbrush lasts as long as possible, here are some tips you can follow:
- Do not store your toothbrush in a location where it might come into contact with another toothbrush’s head. Germs can easily spread to everyone in the house as a result of this.
- After brushing your teeth, make sure to rinse your toothbrush.
- Store your toothbrush in an open container rather than a closed one, as a closed environment presents an environment for bacteria to grow.
- Avoid sharing your toothbrush.
To keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy, it is important that you notice when your toothbrush becomes frayed so that you replace it. If you want further support with understanding when to replace your toothbrush, consult your local dentist in Quakers Hill for further information.