There are some general rules out there about how often you should change your toothbrush, but in reality it can vary quite a bit from person to person. In my opinion, there are two major factors that should cause you to change your toothbrush. One of these is the brush just getting worn out and no longer effective at cleaning your teeth. This can happen pretty fast if you are a hard brusher. When those bristles get to fraying, you need to get to paying…for a new toothbrush. You are wasting your time and probably causing more damage to your gums using that old frayed toothbrush. This compounds on the fact that you’re probably already brushing a little too aggressively which can cause recession of your gums.
The other major reason for tossing out that old ivory cleaner is just sheer bacteria collection. We don’t like to talk about it, but our mouth are chock-full of bacteria. There are good ones and bad ones and in varying numbers unique to everyone’s mouth. Personally, this is enough for me to want to change my toothbrush fairly often. On the more scientific side, when you get sick, you should definitely change out that brush to prevent reinfection.
So how often should you change your brush? The ADA suggests you replace your toothbrush every three to four months, however; it could be sooner based on some of the things we have discussed. No matter how often you’re changing that brush, make sure you are brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled brush.
Now since it’s summer and you are “brushed up” on your toothbrush etiquette, be the first to comment on this FB/blog post and you will get a set of free custom trays with whitening gel.
Fine print: Must be scheduled for a check-up and cleaning or had one in the past 6 months. Must be 18 to enter.
Dr. H
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