We all know that brushing is one of the most important elements of any oral healthcare regimen. However, if you’re brushing with an old or germ-covered toothbrush, you may not be benefitting your teeth and gums as much as you could be. Here are a couple surefire signs that it is time to swap out your old toothbrush!
If your old toothbrush is over 3-4 months old…
According to the American Dental Association, it is highly recommended that you replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months. Why? Studies have shown that, over the course of 3 months, your toothbrush begins to wear down, making it less effective. The best way to keep your teeth and gums in good health is to ensure you’re brushing as efficiently as possible. So if you know you’re getting to that three-month mark, it’s time to replace that toothbrush/head.
If your toothbrush has become frayed…
Not all of us keep a running calendar of when we last bought a new toothbrush, so it may not always be easy to know when you’ve hit the 3-4 month mark. For this reason, you may want to take note of your bristles. One of the telltale signs that you’ve had your old toothbrush for too long is when your bristles begin to look frayed. Damaged bristles are much less effective in cleaning your teeth, so be certain to get a new toothbrush when this occurs.
If you’ve been sick…
While effective in cleaning your teeth, your toothbrush does not actually kill the bacteria in your mouth. Therefore, if you have a cold, flu, or illness in the mouth or throat, those germs may be latching onto your toothbrush and hanging around longer than you’d like. So if you’re sick, or your toothbrush is stored right next to someone else’s who has been sick, you should consider buying a new one. This will help you to kick the illness and keep healthy!
If you’ve been travelling…
This particularly holds true if you’ve been travelling in an area in which the water is not safe to drink. Generally, the rule of thumb is that if you can’t drink the water, you can’t brush your teeth with it. Therefore, if you’ve been on a trip abroad and accidentally happened to rinse your toothbrush in the sink, we’d recommend that you’d swap out your toothbrush and start fresh!
If your toothbrush has been stored improperly…
There are a few things you can do when storing your toothbrush to ensure it remains clean and safe for use. For starters, we recommend that you do not store your toothbrush in an airtight case. This only creates an environment for bacteria to grow. If you do use one of these cases while you travel, simply take it out as soon as possible and let it air out. Also, you’ll want to wash out the case every so often. Next, you’ll want to avoid keeping your toothbrush anywhere near the toilet or in the shower/other damp areas. Otherwise, you risk bacteria gripping onto your toothbrush and growing. So what is the best possible storage method? Have it standing/hanging in an upright position in a place that has enough airflow for it to air out between brushings.
Want to keep your teeth in good health? Call Manus Dental today to set up an appointment!