Proper oral hygiene means having the right tools on hand. When you run low on toothpaste or floss, you buy new products to ensure you can clean your teeth effectively. But did you know you have to buy a new toothbrush too?
The ability of your toothbrush to properly scrub your teeth clean will decline over time. So in order to keep your smile healthy and prevent dental concerns, you will need to purchase a new brush every so often. Read on to learn details about why you should replace your toothbrush as directed by your dentist.
What Happens to Your Toothbrush Over Time?
A toothbrush features firm bristles that you use to scrub plaque, surface stains, and other residues from your teeth. Though durable, the bristles will fray and wear down over time, making them less able to effectively clean your teeth.
Your toothbrush also collects germs and bacteria from both your mouth and the surrounding area where you store it. You rinse your toothbrush before and after your oral hygiene regimen. But the exposure still leaves your toothbrush vulnerable, and the brush will deteriorate as the weeks pass.
Storing a toothbrush in a closed container will breed mold and bacteria, making the issue worse. So you will therefore need to buy a new toothbrush every few months.
How Often Do You Need a New Toothbrush?
For the average dental patient, a dentist will suggest buying a new traditional or manual toothbrush every three to four months. After this amount of time, the bristles on the brush fray and become less able to clean your smile the way that you need.
If you notice the bristles wearing down before this time, you should replace your toothbrush sooner. An electric toothbrush has shorter bristles than a manual one and will therefore need more frequent replacements of its head. This should be done every 12 weeks or so.
Certain circumstances may require you to replace your toothbrush outside of wear and tear. For instance, if you or someone you live with contracts a contagious illness, you should throw out the toothbrushes in the house to lower the risk of spreading the disease. Also, if someone else borrows and uses your toothbrush, you should get rid of it and purchase a new one.
What Happens If You Use an Old Toothbrush?
You might forget to replace your toothbrush in the recommended amount of time. Or maybe you might not think it is a big deal to keep using an old toothbrush. But brushing with a toothbrush for longer than four months could mean you do not remove enough plaque from your mouth. If harmful residues remain on your smile, they will eat at your teeth, putting you in danger of cavities and other dental problems.
The appearance of your teeth could suffer as well, and you might form stains on your smile. While a dentist can treat some dental concerns, you should preserve your smile as much as possible with good oral hygiene.