Brushing your teeth twice daily is one of the simplest, yet most effective, dental hygiene steps you should do.
Of course, to brush your teeth you need a toothbrush.
If we use our toothbrush at least twice a day, then it’s going to need to be changed out.
So, how often should you change your toothbrush?
Let’s take a close look at the answer to “how often should I change my toothbrush?”
Manual Brush: How Often to Change Toothbrush
If you have a manual toothbrush, then you should replace it every 3 or 4 months. This is the timing that the CDC recommends.
Why do you need to change your toothbrush this often?
Over time, daily use wears on a toothbrush. You may notice that the bristles are much weaker, or even sprawled out.
A toothbrush with weak or bent bristles is not as effective. This means it won’t be able to clean your teeth as well, and it can leave plaque behind.
How often to change the toothbrush is not just based on timing. You should pay close attention to the condition of the toothbrush, and change it out whenever the bristles are damaged. Furthermore, you should consider getting a new toothbrush if someone in the household gets sick.
Electric Brush: How Often to Replace the Toothbrush
What if you have an electric toothbrush? Then how often should you replace your toothbrush?
The recommendation is roughly the same. You should change out the toothbrush head every 12 weeks.
Bristles on an electric toothbrush are shorter, which means they can get worn quicker. You may need to replace the toothbrush head even sooner, depending on their condition.
Family Dentist Quincy
If you heard that 3 months is the answer for how often to replace a toothbrush, then you heard right! If you use your toothbrush twice a day, then after three months you’ll have used it about 180 times. After this many uses, it’s likely to get worn down and not be as effective.
Get more helpful dental advice and the best dental care around with our family dentist in Quincy. Advanced Dental Arts is here to help you keep your whole family’s teeth healthy. Book your appointment today with our family dentist in Quincy!