How Often Your Toothbrush Should be Changed Out

Making sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day is a vital and necessary part of maintaining good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth gently removes the plaque and bacteria that can cause dental cavities and the weakening of the tooth enamel. If the plaque is allowed to accumulate and the tooth enamel becomes compromised, you may experience tooth decay, tooth discoloration, dental cavities, or even a tooth abscess.

It is recommended that you brush your teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes at a time with fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. As effective as this at-home oral hygiene routine can be, it can be compromised by using an old toothbrush.

When and Why to Change Out Your Toothbrush

It may surprise you to learn that your toothbrush should be changed out every 3-4 months! This seems quite frequent to many people, but there are a few reasons why:

• As you brush your teeth, the bacteria and germs that coat the surface of the teeth are removed from the teeth and onto the toothbrush. Brushing the recommended twice daily means that your brush can quickly become full of germs and bacteria.
• The germs and bacteria that accumulate on the bristles of your toothbrush won’t all disappear the next time you brush. This means that it’s possible for the old germs and bacteria to be transferred back onto the teeth when you brush.
• After 3-4 months of accumulating germs and bacteria, your toothbrush may be doing more damage than good. This is also around the time the bristles begin to fray, which decreases the effectiveness of your toothbrush.
• It’s also recommended that you throw away your toothbrush after an illness such as the flu, strep throat, bronchitis, or other contagious diseases. This is to avoid getting yourself sick again by putting your toothbrush germs back in your mouth.

While at-home oral hygiene like brushing and flossing is a vital part of maintaining healthy teeth, you should also be visiting your regular dentist every six months for a dental cleaning and a checkup. Even when undergoing orthodontic treatment, you should still be visiting your regular dentist.

To make an appointment for an orthodontic evaluation in Colorado Springs, Colorado, please contact Lockett Orthodontics today.