There are some things in life that should last forever, or at least a really long time. Unfortunately, your toothbrush isn’t one of them. In fact, your dentist in Galesburg recommends swapping out your toothbrush every three (maybe four) months. But why is it important to get several new toothbrushes each and every year? Is it really that important?
Short-Term Tools
The main purpose of a toothbrush is to gently and effectively remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from our teeth. However, after some time, toothbrush bristles tend to lose their shape as well as their effectiveness. When this happens, your toothbrush can no longer clean your teeth as well as it once did since the bristles can no longer get into each curve and crevice properly. So even if you brush your teeth every day, if you’re brushing with an old toothbrush, you may be missing spots, leaving you at an increased risk of decay. But that’s not all. Since we know our toothbrush is responsible for removing bacteria from our mouths, it’s only natural that some of them will end up lingering around on the bristles. If you never replace your toothbrush or wait too long to do so, you essentially reintroduce all that bacteria buildup into your mouth every time you brush. This is why your dentist in Galesburg and the American Dental Association recommends changing your toothbrush every three or four months.
Signs It’s Time For a New Toothbrush
Even though the recommendation is to keep a toothbrush for three or four months, the truth is, there are times when you may need to replace it sooner than that. Here are some obvious ways to tell if it’s time to get a new toothbrush.
Look at the bristles for any:
Any of the signs above is a clue that a new toothbrush should be in your near future.
One other thing we need to mention is that you should always replace your toothbrush after a cold. Once you start feeling better, toss your toothbrush and get a new one to protect yourself from constant exposure to the germs that made you sick in the first place.
Taking Care of Your Toothbrush
There are some easy ways you extend the life of your toothbrush to help make it last for the full three or four months.
- Rinse it thoroughly after each use
- Don’t ever share your toothbrush
- Let it air dry away from other toothbrushes and without a cover
- Don’t brush too hard — this helps protect your bristles from wear and tear
Brushing your teeth twice a day is only one part of maintaining good oral hygiene. You also need to make sure your toothbrush is in good shape so it can do its job properly. Additionally, it’s also crucial that you see your dentist in Galesburg every six months for a professional cleaning and exam.
FAQs
There are some things in life that should last forever, or at least a really long time. Unfortunately, your toothbrush isn't one of them. In fact, your dentist in Galesburg recommends swapping out your toothbrush every three (maybe four) months.
How often do dentists recommend you change your toothbrush? ›
“The average person should be swapping out for a new toothbrush every three to four months,” explains Dr. Sienna Palmer, DDS, dentist at Meridien Dental in Santa Monica, CA. “This is recommended to ensure that the bristles are still effective and bacteria accumulation on the toothbrush is minimal.”
Do I really need to replace my toothbrush every 3 months? ›
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it's recommended to replace your toothbrush (or brush head on an electric toothbrush) every three months – that's right, toothbrushes have a shelf life of only three months. The longer you use a toothbrush, the less effective it is.
How often should you wash your toothbrush? ›
Whether you're using a manual or electric toothbrush, you need to thoroughly rinse the brush head with tap water after every use. This removes most of the food particles, plaque, and bacteria. To remove even the few germs or debris that might remain after rinsing, disinfect your toothbrush at least once a week.
How many times a day do dentists recommend brushing your teeth? ›
Therefore, tooth brushing twice daily is recommended by most of the dentists in order to improve plaque control. This rule is followed by most of the patients taking care for their oral health and has shown to be effective in maintenance of oral health in numerous studies.
How do I know when to change my toothbrush? ›
As your toothbrush gets older, the brush heads tend to get frayed bristles, and when they can no longer stand up straight, it is a tell-tale sign that it's time to replace your toothbrush. A toothbrush with bent or frayed bristles isn't as effective at removing plaque and bacteria from your teeth.
Can a dentist tell how often you brush? ›
Your dentist can identify issues with your teeth and gums. Years of extensive training and practical experience give your dentist the heads up about your oral health. Just by taking a look inside your mouth, your dentist will know whether or not you brush and floss regularly.
What happens if you use the same toothbrush for too long? ›
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should replace a manual toothbrush every three to four months. If you use your brush for much longer than that, the bristles will start to become frayed and worn, and they won't be as effective at clearing away plaque.
How often should you floss? ›
Ideally, patients will floss at least once a day. The best time to floss is at night before bed and before you've brushed your teeth. It's important to floss before brushing, as brushing will help displace any of the substances you dislodge from between your teeth from your mouth.
How to sanitize a toothbrush? ›
You can also disinfect your toothbrush by swishing it in an antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds. If you don't have mouthwash, you can use 2 teaspoons of baking soda mixed into 1 cup of water instead. Soaking your toothbrush in white vinegar once a week may also help disinfect it.
Are You Supposed to Wet Toothpaste? Wetting your toothbrush before brushing is generally a matter of personal preference. There's some debate about wetting toothpaste before brushing and its effects on efficacy, but the ADA doesn't provide official guidance.
Does Listerine disinfect toothbrushes? ›
[6] Listerine killed all the microorganisms on the toothbrush bristles. Caudry et al. had suggested that soaking the toothbrush bristles in Listerine for 20 minutes prevents bacterial contamination.
Should I soak my toothbrush in water? ›
Use hot water
Forget soaking a toothbrush in mouthwash or denture cleaner or using UV light cleaners. “I suggest just rinsing your toothbrush in good, hot water,” says Dr. Kahn.
Should you rinse after brushing your teeth? ›
Don't rinse with water straight after toothbrushing
After brushing, spit out any excess toothpaste. Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste.
Should you brush your tongue? ›
Bacteria grow fast. The best way to reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth is to clean your tongue twice daily after brushing your teeth. Removing that debris from your tongue before bedtime can also help reduce bad morning breath and get rid of it when you wake up.
How long should I leave toothpaste on my teeth? ›
The reason why there is contention in the first place is because of the main ingredient that is present in your toothpaste: fluoride. The reason that dentists tell you to brush for two minutes is so that it gives the toothpaste and the fluoride enough time to work properly.
What happens if you dont change your toothbrush often? ›
Changing your toothbrush more often will help you prevent oral-related bacterial and fungal infections. Over time, the brush bristles become uneven due to the friction and pressure of brushing the teeth. The rutted bristles scrape away gum tissues causing the enamel to wear out.
How many years does a toothbrush last? ›
You should replace your toothbrush at least every three months, according to Kelman. But for some, especially people who brush their teeth a bit aggressively, you'll need a new one even sooner, she adds. “When in doubt, you need to look at the bristles,” says Kelman.
