How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

Your toothbrush plays an important role in keeping your teeth clean and healthy, but it doesn’t last forever. Typically, dental professionals recommend replacing your toothbrush every 12-16 weeks, but there are some instances where you may need to replace your brush sooner.

Changing a Manual Toothbrush

Dental professionals recommend brushing your teeth twice per day for at least two minutes. If you follow these guidelines, your manual brush will begin to lose some bristles and become a bit mangled looking within a few months. If your bristles begin to lose their stiffness sooner than 12-16 weeks, you may need to grab a new brush sooner. Without stiff bristles, a toothbrush can be pretty ineffective. You may also need urgent dental care sometimes, and should consider emergency dental care options in Syracuse ny during those instances.

Changing an Electric Toothbrush

Electric toothbrushes typically need to be changed a bit more frequently than manual ones. It’s recommended that you purchase new heads for your electric toothbrush every 12 weeks at a minimum. Since electric toothbrushes clean your teeth with rotating and vibrating motions, they can often wear down much more quickly than a manual brush. It’s important to keep an eye out for any fraying or signs of wear. This means it’s nearly time to invest in a new brush head.

Additional Reasons to Change Your Brush

In addition to replacing your brush because of normal wear and tear, there are a few other reasons you should make sure you ditch an old brush and get a new one. If you or anyone in your household has been ill, it’s a good idea to replace all toothbrushes to ensure bacteria isn’t being passed along from mouth to mouth. In addition, if someone uses your toothbrush on an accident, you’ll want to replace it to avoid the spread of germs.

How to Care For A Toothbrush to Extend Its Lifespan

Treating your toothbrush well will ensure you get the most out of it before you need to buy a new one. It’s best to keep your toothbrush to yourself and avoid sharing. You don’t need to store your toothbrush in a special container to keep it clean. In fact, doing so can actually encourage the spread of germs rather than prevent them. Once you are done brushing your teeth, you should rinse your brush with water. You don’t need to sanitize your brush after every use, but it’s wise to rinse it off with water to ensure toothpaste doesn’t ruin the bristles.

What Happens if You Don’t Change Your Toothbrush in Time?

Each time you brush your teeth, your toothbrush gets a bit more worn out. After a period of time, your toothbrush begins to get very frayed and becomes less effective at removing plaque build-up and other debris. Too much plaque and buildup of other bacteria can lead to tooth decay and gum disease, so it’s best to replace your brushes frequently so they can effectively do their job.

Your toothbrush is perhaps your most important hygiene tool. Make sure you take care of it properly to extend its lifespan and keep your mouth healthy. Stop by Charlotte dentistry for your next dental exam and consult with a professional about when your current brush needs replacing.

For more tips on dental hygiene, go to parkcrossingdentistry.com.