How Often Should You Change Toothbrush
How often do you need to change your toothbrush? The importance of changing your toothbrush, learn everything you need to know about using toothbrush effectively and efficiently by reading our blog.
Growing up, you were always told about brushing twice a day for good oral health. But, did you ever question the frequency of changing your manual brush?
The American Dental Association states that you should replace manual toothbrushes every three to four months. Using a brush for more than this duration can lead to fraying of the soft bristles.
On the contrary, you can even opt for electric brushes to replace the conventional ones. So, when should you think of replacement brush heads if you use such products? Also, can you change a manual toothbrush within three months?
The Significance of Changing Your Toothbrush
These days, products like antibacterial mouthwash and water flossers enhance your oral health. Still, a wet toothbrush is an essential item that acts as a vital accessory for dental hygiene.
Hence, brushing your teeth with a clean toothbrush becomes equally important. Here's why you should consider replacing your toothbrush regularly:
- Your mouth consists of bacteria and germs
- The bacteria are present on the toothbrush head
- So, to control bacteria growth to an extent, changing toothbrushes is crucial
- Also, most toothbrushes have sensitive bristles
- After prolonged usage, these bristles begin to deteriorate, losing their effectiveness
Even if you buy a toothbrush with an ADA seal, be sure to observe the bristles. If they appear yellowish, worn out, and disoriented, you should change the brush promptly.
Manual vs Electric Toothbrushes
At this time, you can make two choices in the toothbrush market. Here's a quick look at these two prominent options.
Manual Brushes
As the name suggests, these brushes require manual operation. You need to rotate them with your hand to clean your teeth and gums.
These toothbrushes are portable and do not require electric charging. Also, you have total control over the pressure exerted on your teeth.
Electric Toothbrushes
An electric toothbrush has different movements to provide an optimum brushing feel. The electric brush head either rotates, oscillates, or vibrates depending on the type of the model.
This rechargeable brush can adjust the requirement of sensitive teeth with the help of pressure sensors. Hence, these electric-powered toothbrushes can optimally help remove plaque and clean the gum line.
Sonicare brushes, FOSOO electric toothbrushes, and the Oral B series are some well-known examples of electric toothbrushes.
Replacement Frequency of Electric Toothbrush
This knowledge is crucial if you feel that an electric toothbrush is more suitable than its manual counterparts.
Electric toothbrushes have brush heads that need regular replacement. Significantly, you should change the brush head every twelve weeks.
You can explore several brush heads in the market. Hence, replacing them will not be a huge hassle. Here are the common types of electric brushes that you can explore:
- Rotating brushes
- Oscillating brushes
- Sonic brushes
For more efficiency and power, a sonic toothbrush can prove highly suitable.
Essential Tips to Maintain Your New Toothbrush
A brand new brush works as a trustworthy friend to keep issues like strep throat away. Hence, you should follow proper toothbrush care tips to get the best output from your brush.
Rinse After Every Use
A simple way to keep your brush clean is to rinse it in water after each use. You do not need to use hot water, UV sanitizer, or mouthwash to clean the toothbrush.
Be sure to read the rinsing instructions in case you buy smart brushes with different brushing modes. You can even opt for products like FOSOO electric toothbrushes for simplicity in cleaning.
Follow Proper Storage Habits
Similar to avoiding hot water, aim to store your brush upright, allowing it to air dry. Leaving the brush near a bathroom sink can promote moisture leading to bacterial growth.
Hence, store your manual or electric-powered toothbrush in a small cup away from moisture. Also, do not store the brush in a closed medicine cabinet. Remember, open air is vital to keep the toothbrush well-maintained.
If Possible, Isolate
Your teeth' health depends on the cleanliness of the toothbrush. Hence, apart from using features like cleaning modes, follow simple tips.
If you can, store toothbrushes in different containers. Do not let two brush heads come in contact with each other. This way, you will avoid passing germs from one brush head to the other.
In addition, do not share toothbrushes with anyone. So, even if you buy the best electric toothbrush, keep it isolated in the house.
Regular Replacement Helps Removing Plaque Effectively
A study shows that regular usage of toothbrushes leads to flaring of the bristles. This flaring leads to more plaque, thereby affecting dental hygiene.
Notably, this study observed a progressive increase in plaque scores after 40 days of use. Hence, your timely brushing habits won't make a huge difference if you do not replace your toothbrush.
As suggested, it is essential to maintain and replace your brush for proper teeth and gum health. You can opt for a sonic clean toothbrush with a quiet operation over the manual ones. However, you need to follow proper replacement habits, even in the case of smart brushes.
Additional Tips on Cleaning Toothbrushes
A cosmetic dentist can help you choose a suitable brush to take care of your tooth enamel. Still, the onus is on you to take care of a toothbrush with one or more brushing modes.
So, avoid UV light, disinfectants, and chemicals like hydrogen peroxide for cleaning brushes. For optimum oral care, keep the maintenance activity as simple as possible.