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How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush?

Two Toothbrushes Inside A White Ceramic Cup

The importance of brushing

Brushing is your first line of defense against oral health issues. When you brush your teeth properly, you ensure a brighter smile. Toothpaste is undoubtedly important, but what’s even more significant is getting the right toothbrush and how frequently you change your toothbrush.

According to statistics, 2.28 million Americans said that they’ve spent $250 or more on oral care products. A lot of people invest in getting a toothbrush in the right size and with the right bristles. They even perform a comparison between a manual and an electric toothbrush to get the best results. However, there’s one question that many overlook; how often should you change your brush?

Many dentists believe that people are usually not sure when to get a new brush, because of which they aren’t changing their brushes that often. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), an average healthy person should change their toothbrush after every 3 to 4 months. This period might differ from person to person depending on the individual brushing habits and how it is stored.

How can I know when to replace my toothbrush?

Look at your toothbrush and find some tell-tale signs which could help you know when you should switch it with a new one. Is your toothbrush frayed, damaged, or worn? Are the bristles bent at odd angles? It seems the poor guy is tired of cleaning your pearly whites and needs to be replaced. Bent or frayed bristles do not clean teeth effectively, increasing the chances of cavities. Another sign that you are using an old brush is if the bristles start to fall out. You should not wait for this frayed appearance to replace it. This simply shows that you are not changing your brush as often as you should.

Why replacing your toothbrush is important

In some brushes, the bristles turn hard over time. This happens because of the synthetic polymer used in them. If you continue to use such a brush for a long time, it can make your enamel thinner and might hurt your gums causing them to bleed. Change your toothbrush before this happens.

Children are usually more excited and brush their teeth more vigorously. This means their toothbrush might need replacement earlier than an adult’s brush. A dentist would advise you to brush your teeth twice a day; however, if you are brushing less often, naturally your brush will last longer. But by saving a brush you are not doing your smile any favors.

It would be best to run your tongue over your teeth every time you are done with brushing. If you don’t get a polished and sleek feeling, then it’s time to throw away the brush. Lastly, you should change your toothbrush if you’ve fallen sick recently. If you continue to use the same brush, you can re-infect yourself.

If you need more information about what toothbrush is right for you and the best way to care for it, please stop by your Farmington dentist and we would be glad to help you better your oral hygiene.

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