{"id":2297,"date":"2022-07-30T12:00:52","date_gmt":"2022-07-30T16:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.walbridgedental.com\/blog\/?p=2297"},"modified":"2022-08-02T11:16:32","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T15:16:32","slug":"how-often-should-you-change-your-toothbrush-head","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walbridgedental.com\/blog\/how-often-should-you-change-your-toothbrush-head\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush Head?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Your toothbrush is your ally in the fight against bacteria in your mouth. But toothbrushes aren\u2019t meant to last forever. How long can expect your toothbrush head to last? Fortunately, the answer is made pretty easy as long as you know what to look for!<\/p>\n

When considering how often you should change your toothbrush head starts with understanding the signs it needs replacing, and why you should be replacing it at all!<\/p>\n

Read on to learn more about keeping your oral health on track by making sure your key tool is ready to do its job!<\/p>\n

What Happens If You Don\u2019t Replace Your Toothbrush?<\/h2>\n

If you don’t replace your toothbrush, the bristles will become frayed and won’t be as effective at cleaning your teeth. Plaque and bacteria can build up on a brush with frayed bristles, which can lead to gum disease. It’s important to change your toothbrush often to maintain good oral health.<\/p>\n

What Are the Signs That Mean Your Toothbrush Needs Replacing?<\/h2>\n

Your toothbrush needs replacing when the bristles start to fray and wear down. This usually happens after about three months of use. At this point, the bristles are no longer effective at cleaning your teeth and may even start to cause damage.<\/p>\n

A worn looking toothbrush is the most important sign of a toothbrush that needs replaced. Because it\u2019s so important, most manufacturers of toothbrushes add special identifiers to the bristles that you can see, which are usually colored differently from the white bristles. As you use the toothbrush, the colorful bristles should start to fade. You can use this, along with the state of how frayed the bristles are, to get a good idea that it\u2019s time to swap brushes.<\/p>\n

Are There Other Reasons to Replace Your Toothbrush?<\/h2>\n

Absolutely! Some of the other potential reasons you might need to replace your toothbrush are:<\/p>\n

Following an Illness \u2013<\/strong> When you\u2019re sick, your body may have an abundance of unique germs. While your immune system will do a good job at fighting off the germs that made you sick in the first place, it\u2019s worth avoiding them when you can. Your toothbrush is a likely place for those germs to end up, so it can be worthwhile to replace the brush after you start feeling better to give your immune system a break.<\/p>\n

Exposure to Foreign Bacteria \u2013 Your<\/strong> toothbrush will be exposed to bacteria every time you use it. But the bacteria that\u2019s common in your mouth isn\u2019t the same as bacteria around you, or in other people\u2019s mouths. If your toothbrush is dropped on the floor, or touches someone else\u2019s bristles, it may be a good idea to replace it to avoid cross-contamination and introducing new bacteria to your system that your body will need to learn to fight off.<\/p>\n

What If It\u2019s Been Three Months but My Toothbrush Looks Fine?<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s possible that after a few months your toothbrush may not look quite ready to replace. However, this would likely be a sign that sometimes isn\u2019t quite right with your oral care routine.<\/p>\n

Brushing properly is more specific than simply brushing the bristles against your teeth. You should be:<\/p>\n