When was the last time you changed your toothbrush? A month ago? 6 months ago? A year ago? We all know that eventually, we must get a new toothbrush, but when? The American Dental Association recommends changing your toothbrush every 3-4 months at a minimum. However, depending on how you brush your teeth you might need to change it sooner. This is why it’s important to know the signs of an aging toothbrush. Your toothbrush may need to be thrown out a lot sooner than you think!

Why You Should Change Your Toothbrush The older a toothbrush gets, the less effective it becomes. According to Feels Good to Smile the bristles lose their original form and texture; they can’t scrub the bacteria from your teeth. If you’re brushing with an old, ineffective toothbrush, you might as well not be brushing at all! The bristles also lose their ability to clean the grooves on your teeth. Brushing with an aging toothbrush will lead to an increased risk of cavities. This is why you should know when to buy a new toothbrush!

Signs to Change Your Toothbrush

There are a lot of tell-tale signs of when you should change out your toothbrush. First, if the bristles start to become soft, this is a clear giveaway to change your toothbrush. Once your bristles soften, they lose their ability to clean all the crevices of your teeth properly. This sign usually goes hand in hand with the next one.

The softer the bristles get, the more likely it is that they will lose their shape. The bristles on your toothbrush may become curved or splayed. Over time, the bristles will become worn, and they’ll lose their stiffness. When this starts to happen, you know it is time to buy a new toothbrush.

Another major sign that you need to switch out your toothbrush is if it starts to turn a yellowish color. Once the new clean white begins to turn a dirty white or yellow color, it’s time to purchase a new toothbrush. Believe it or not, that yellowish coloring is bacteria on your toothbrush. This can lead to poor cleaning and bad breath.

There’s one more reason you might want to buy a new toothbrush, but it’s not related to age. After you’ve been sick, whether it’s the flu or covid it might be a good idea to throw out the toothbrush you have. Often, long-lasting germs from your disease will latch onto the toothbrush. Your body should be immune to the disease and those germs theoretically shouldn’t hurt you. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Some sicknesses you can get twice, so if you want to protect your health go ahead and purchase a new toothbrush to celebrate getting well!

How to Choose a New Toothbrush

Choosing a new toothbrush shouldn’t just be a flippant decision. You’re choosing what will fight off the plaque on your teeth for the next 3-4 months. This decision is a matter of cavities or clean teeth! There are a few main things for you to keep in mind.

First, you want to pick a toothbrush with softer bristles. If you pick one with hard, sharp bristles you run the risk of hurting your gums and damaging your teeth. It’s important to keep in mind that there is a firm line between soft bristles that clean well and soft bristles that don’t clean. A new toothbrush with softer-feeling bristles will hold its form and be able to scrub away plaque buildup without a problem. An old toothbrush with softer bristles will lose its form and be unable to scrub away plaque buildup.

You also want to pay attention to the size of your brush’s head. The smaller the head is the easier it will be to reach the back of your mouth and clean your back molars. According to Mayo Clinic, molars are far more likely to get cavities than front teeth. These back teeth have many more grooves and curves, not to mention they’re doing most of the work when you chew your food. Cleaning them is very important and you should never let the size of a toothbrush head prevent you from doing it.

The next thing you need to consider is whether you want a manual or electric toothbrush. A manual toothbrush is easier to keep up with, because it doesn’t require charging. Electric toothbrushes, however, make brushing easier. They have built-in timers and proper brushing techniques.

Picking a new toothbrush is an important decision, so take time to consider it. And don’t be afraid to try new things! You’ll have to change it again in 3 months, so why not experiment?

Protecting your Toothbrush

When you get a new toothbrush there are several ways you can lengthen its lifespan. First, you want to make sure you rinse it thoroughly after you use it. This will remove all the excess paste as well as bacteria from between the bristles.

Next, you will want to place your toothbrush in an upright, exposed holder (a cup or mug are perfect). This will allow your toothbrush to dry, preventing any bacteria from growing.

The last thing you’ll need to remember is not to share your toothbrush with anyone else. That won’t just shorten the lifespan of your toothbrush but also open the possibility of bacteria spreading.

Conclusion:

A time comes in every toothbrush’s life that it must be buried in the deep depths of the trashcan. When this time comes don’t hesitate to throw it away or you might end up using a disfigured and ineffective toothbrush. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new types of brushes. Who knows you may find a new favorite! Your teeth are apart from your smile and your smile is a part of you. Take care of yourself by taking care of your teeth.

Arlington Family Dental offers consistent dental advice you can count on regardless of your circumstances. Schedule an appointment with us today!