It doesn’t matter if you have a top-of-the-range electric toothbrush or a budget manual toothbrush, you still need to change it regularly. If you’re using an old, worn toothbrush you’ve been putting off replacing, then it isn’t going to be cleaning your teeth as well as it should. It could even be causing oral health problems.
Let’s look at the most important reasons why you should change your toothbrush regularly, and some tips on how often you should replace your toothbrush.
Why changing your toothbrush is so important
When you’ve been using the same toothbrush for several months, you may notice that the bristles start to bend, flatten, and soften. Once they get to this point, your toothbrush is much less effective at removing plaque, bacteria, and food debris from your teeth, and it will only get less effective over time. Your oral hygiene and health will start to suffer if you continue using an old toothbrush.
Another problem with old toothbrushes is the build-up of bacteria. Your toothbrush’s job is to remove bacteria from your mouth. And even though you rinse your toothbrush after brushing, the bacteria will gradually build up over time. Your toothbrush is also exposed to bacteria in the air throughout the day, especially if it is not left to dry out or not stored properly. An old toothbrush will have a greater build-up of bacteria, which will then spread to your mouth as you brush.
When should you change your toothbrush?
As a general rule, you should be changing your toothbrush or toothbrush head every three months. Keep an eye on your toothbrush bristles to see if it needs replacing sooner than this. If you brush too hard, then they may wear down more quickly (and consider changing your brushing technique). If you brush gently and store your toothbrush properly, then changing it every four months might be enough.
It is also worth changing your toothbrush after you’ve been sick or have had an infection in your mouth. Your toothbrush will have picked up more germs during this time, and continuing to brush with it will make it more likely that you’ll become sick or get an infection again.
Brushing regularly, taking good care of your toothbrush, and getting regular dental check-ups are the keys to good oral health. Get in touch if you need to book an appointment with a dentist in Advance, NC or are looking for more advice on looking after your teeth.