Everything in this world comes with an expiry date, and your toothbrush is no exception.
Most of us know that our toothbrushes are not meant to last forever. However, it can be hard to determine when your toothbrush needs replacement.
Swapping out your old toothbrush with the new one is vital for your oral health. But the question is for how long should you use a toothbrush, or what is the right toothbrush replacement time?
Of course, your toothbrush doesn’t come with the expiry date written on it. Therefore, the only way out is to notice the signs that can help you determine that it’s the right time to change your toothbrush.
Read on to know more about your tooth replacing signs:
Frayed or worn bristles
Do the bristles of your toothbrush look bent or chewed? Do the ends look damaged, or are the bristles of your toothbrush bent at odd angles?
If the answer to any of these questions is a yes, then it’s high time you should change your toothbrush.
Over time, wear and tear can cause the bristles to become frayed. Moreover, bristles can get frayed because of brushing your teeth with aggression. These frayed bristles indicate that your brush is not effectively cleaning your teeth, and the toothbrush replacement time is near.
Therefore, you should replace your frayed bristled toothbrush with a new one. Moreover, old or damaged bristles can also damage your gums.
Therefore, you should choose a soft bristled toothbrush as soft bristles are easy on your teeth and do a fine job of keeping your teeth clean and healthy.
Recovered from an illness
If you or any of your family members have been sick recently, toothbrush replacement would be an ideal option. Though, you might be thinking about how it can make sense?
When you have cold, flu or other infections, your toothbrush is also exposed to all the extra germs floating around in your mouth. Moreover, these germs can also stay on your toothbrush for weeks, especially if your toothbrush has been moist for a long time.
Therefore, to avoid reintroducing the germs into your mouth after you’ve recovered, it’s good to replace your old toothbrush with the new one, whenever your illness breaks.
Moreover, dentists also recommend you to change your toothbrush after you’ve had a cold, flu, mouth infection, or a sore throat. This is because the germs that cause illness also contaminate your toothbrush when you use it.
Hard or are falling out bristles
Are you using a toothbrush with stiff, hard bristles, or are your bristles falling out? If yes, then it can damage both your teeth and gums.
Bristles of a toothbrush are generally made of synthetic polymers like nylon or polyester. With regular use, your bristles tend to harden.
Brushing your teeth with these hard bristles can hurt your gums or wear out the enamel of your teeth. Hence, it can aggravate your chances of gum disease . Thus leading to the need of going for dental treatment .
However the better option is when you notice hard or falling out bristles on your toothbrush, it is ideal to replace it .
But how to easily identify if the bristles of your toothbrush are hard? When you brush your teeth with a hard bristled toothbrush, you may feel discomfort or pain inside your mouth. Additionally, it can also hurt your teeth or gums.
This may indicate that it’s time for you to replace your toothbrush.
Debris or bacteria on toothbrush
After some time the debris may build-up at the bottom of your bristles. Along with debris, bacteria or germs can also build up on your toothbrush with time.
But why do bacteria form on your toothbrush? The moist, damp environment that exists between your toothbrush bristles can lead to bacteria growth. In case, if you use your toothbrush, you can become sick.
It can be a potential source of infections and reinfections in your body. This bacteria or debris not only harm your teeth but can also make you prone to infections.
Therefore, it is essential for you to replace your toothbrush, if you notice debris or bacteria on it.
These signs are an indicator for you to replace your old toothbrush with the new one. Replacing your toothbrush is an ideal step towards better dental care.
However, it is also necessary for you to understand that you do not just need a toothbrush, you need the right toothbrush. Therefore, it is essential for you to choose the right toothbrush for your overall dental health. For this reason, you should know how to choose the right toothbrush for your teeth:
Tips on choosing the right toothbrush
- Most dentists suggest using a soft-bristled toothbrush for removing plaque and debris.
- You should use small-headed brushes as they can easily reach all the areas of your mouth.
- Use a powered toothbrush as it can do a better job of cleaning your teeth.
- Choose toothbrushes with non-slip grip as they are easy to use even when they are wet.
- Choose a brush with tongue cleaner as cleaning your tongue is also essential for your oral health.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule an appointment today with one of the best dental hospitals in Gurgaon! Why does my toothbrush wear so quickly?
A toothbrush that wears out too quickly can often be the result of applying too much pressure. Moreover, your toothbrush may damage quickly if you are using the wrong cleaning technique. How long do viruses live on toothbrushes?
Flu viruses can survive on your toothbrushes for two to three days after first exposure. These viruses can enter your mouth and can give you more infections. How often should a person get a new toothbrush?
As per dentist recommendation, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months for better dental health.