Here's How Often You Should Change Your Toothbrush and Why
It’s a cringe-worthy moment when you realize your toothbrush is one of the dirtiest items in your household. It’s sad, but true.
So, how can we prevent it from endangering our health and wellness? By replacing it accordingly and storing it in the proper position.
The answer to how often should you be changing your toothbrush is a little shocking. And, if the answer seems like a lot, read on to see why this is not only true, but it's important.
Every Three Months
Cutting right to the chase, the American Dental Association says you should replace your toothbrush every three to six months. Typically, you’ll hear three months preached more often. But, you can abide by the six-month rule if you really want to stretch things and the budget is tight.
This actually has more to do with the condition of the bristles than the bacteria. But, we’ll cover both elements in a minute. If, however, you notice the bristles start to appear frayed or matted, then you should change your toothbrush even sooner than the three-month mark.
Why So Often?
Typically, after three months, the bristles begin to break down. When they do, they become far less effective at cleaning our teeth; they don’t remove the plaque the way they used to.
We need strong, sturdy bristles to not only clean the surface of our teeth, but also clean in between our teeth.
The second reason may not surprise you – germs. Even though we use toothpaste on our brushes and then rinse them after each use, germs still accumulate over time.
When you think about it, the job of the toothbrush is to literally brush bacteria away from your teeth and tongue. It has big shoes to fill and needs to be cleaned accordingly.
Bacteria tends to gather more towards the base of the brush, where the bristles meet the plastic or, if you enjoy eco-friendly products, the wood.
Other Times to Replace Your Brush
In addition to the three-month rule, there are other times when you need to get a new toothbrush. For example, after you’ve had a cold, the flu, or another virus, you should replace your brush.
You can simply take some extra time to disinfect your brush. But, the wisest course of action is to replace the brush you used while you were sick in order to avoid reinfecting yourself.
How to Extend the Longevity
To keep bacteria at bay, the best way to extend the longevity of your brush is to make sure it’s thoroughly rinsed and dried before standing it in an upright position.
You also want to ensure it’s positioned away from other toothbrushes in the household. Two brushes should never be touching. This holds true for common, everyday use, as well as during times when someone else in the house may be sick.
Also, when traveling, you should never leave your toothbrush exposed. Always invest in a travel case, no matter the shape or size of your brush. Any number of instances of dirt, grime, or bacteria can land on the bristles while in motion.
How to Clean In Between Replacements
All this might pose the question, “Can’t I just clean my brush more thoroughly to extend its life?” The short answer is no because you still have to deal with the fact that the bristles break down over time.
Still, there are a few wise things to do in between replacements:
Run your brush under hot water before and after each use.
Place your brush in antibacterial mouthwash for 30 seconds every few days.
These extra steps will provide an added layer of protection for your overall cleanliness.
What to Buy
Most of us don’t give too much thought to our toothbrushes. They’re just an everyday, ordinary part of life.
Now that we’ve looked below the murky surface, let’s think about what to buy next.
Electric Toothbrushes
Dentists will often recommend electric toothbrushes. They cover more surface area, move in between the teeth better, and promote better gum health.
When using an electric brush, you don’t quickly glide over the teeth, back and forth, like you might with a manual brush.
Rather, you move slowly, lingering over each tooth for a few seconds. This allows the spinning bristles to clean the surface and get in there between the teeth. If you move too quickly, it loses its efficacy.
Here’s the catch with electric toothbrushes: they need to be replaced more along the lines of every two to three months. Given the strong vibrating action they endure at least twice a day, the bristles can break down faster than manual toothbrushes.
They’re also rather costly to replace. But, again, they may provide a deeper clean than a manual brush and help you maintain healthier gums.
Manual Toothbrushes
To no surprise, electric toothbrushes cost a pretty penny. If you’re not interested in making that kind of investment, manual toothbrushes have been working just fine throughout the ages.
Typically, medium to soft bristles are better than hard bristles because they can damage the enamel.
In terms of size, you want to make sure the head of the brush can cover at least one or two of your teeth at a time.
Finally, when it comes to toothpaste, check to make sure it contains fluoride approved by the FDA.
How Often Should You Be Changing Your Toothbrush?
Although the answer to how often should you be changing your toothbrush seems straight-forward, there are a few variations to keep in mind.
If you’ve been sick, it needs to be tossed sooner than later. If you notice the bristles appear to be frayed and matted, your toothbrush needs to be replaced.
If you have an electric toothbrush, bravo! But, you may need to replace the head even sooner than a manual toothbrush.
In the end, though, an ounce of protection today can prevent a lifetime of toothache and pain. And any medical professional can tell you our oral health is just as important as the rest of our health.
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