How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?

The colour on your toothbrush has definitely changed from a bright white to almost dingy light yellow but still, you have not changed it. Not that you are trying to save money, but you don’t quite feel the brush has been used until each bristle is completely worn. While not the most hygienic practice, the brush is still a good brush and tossing it would be a waste.  

However, taking into account the expert advice of established East Bentleigh dental clinics, you should be wary about hanging onto a brush longer than hygienically safe. Some sources report anywhere from as little as three months to as long as six! While the verdict is out on exactly how long people should hold onto their brush, there are a number of explanations of how a functional, clean brush should look.

Keep reading to learn more about how often you should replace your toothbrush in order to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

General Toothbrush Care

Everyone has their routine for not only brushing their teeth but also storing their brush. Whether you are using a standard toothbrush or an electric one, most people place their brush in a cup in the bathroom after each use. If you store your brushes this way, then up to this point you are correctly storing them because most professionals advise that storing them in the open air and in an upright position. Avoid storing them in closed containers, as bacteria and germs can build up.

Those who want to keep their brushes in good shape and for a longer time can maintain them by simply soaking them in mouthwash, which is an antiseptic that gets rid of germs. Also, soaking them in a mix of hydrogen peroxide and water works as well. If you do not have either, then soaking them in boiling water for 10 minutes also works as well.

People should not attempt to wash their brushes in either the dishwasher because this could cause damage to the brush. Furthermore, avoid toothbrush sanitizer as they have little effect. For the most part, storing and maintaining your toothbrush can positively impact how long your brush last.

How Long Is Too Long?

While the rule of thumb is between 3 and 6 months, this number will change depending on how often the brush is used. A number of factors can influence the health of your toothbrush including the number of times you brush in a day and whether you are a heavy-handed brusher. It goes without saying that the more you use your toothbrush, the more wear and tear it will have, and this is also true for those who tend to brush rigorously as well.

If ever in doubt as to how long you should use your brush, follow three rules. When your brush’s bristles begin to look frayed and worn, it is definitely time to get a new brush. Also, after you have brushed your teeth, run your tongue along them, and if they feel smooth, your brush is still doing its job of cleaning your teeth. If you can feel sediment on your teeth, you want to change your brush. Finally, if you have just gotten over a head cold or some other illness, you want to change brushes just to avoid recontamination and becoming ill again.

Keeping Your Brush Clean

A healthy brush leads to a healthy mouth, and brushes that are worn, and worse yet, rife with microorganisms do not clean your teeth and can be the source of recontamination. While the 3-6 month rule is a good way to determine whether your brush is still good, doing a visual inspection of the colour and condition of the brush is a better way to determine whether the brush is still good. Plus, as the routine of your life changes, you might find you might need to change your brushes more or less often.