How Often Should a Toothbrush Be Changed To Preserve Oral Health?
Regular dental care, flossing, mouthwash, and the use of appropriate toothpaste mean nothing if you do not pay attention to one really important detail. That is the appearance and lifespan of your toothbrush.
Brushing teeth at least twice a day leads to the toothbrush losing its shape and being no longer as firm as in the beginning. You will not be able to clean your teeth properly. If you don’t change the toothbrush in time, bacteria accumulate and can spread to the teeth and gums and cause additional problems.
How long should one toothbrush be used?
We should change the toothbrush every three to four months, and if the bristles are damaged and deformed in the meantime, we should do it earlier. Otherwise, there is a higher risk of caries, receding, and gum infection. The use of a worn-out toothbrush, which has dangerous bacteria on it, can lead to periodontitis in extreme cases.
If you wear braces, the bristles will damage faster, so you need to change it more often. Also, change your children’s toothbrushes more often than yours because children’s immunity and teeth are much softer. When children are younger, they tend to press the toothbrush a lot while brushing their teeth. It can lead to damaging the toothbrush much earlier.
If you are ill, have a cold, or have an infection of the oral cavity, replace the toothbrush with a new one after the recovery so that the virus would not return. Microbes could very simply stay on the bristles of the toothbrush and cause similar problems again.
Although hard toothbrushes last longer, always choose those with soft bristles. They are much gentler on both tooth enamel and gums. These rules of maintenance and replacement apply to both classic and electric toothbrushes.
How to extend the lifespan of the toothbrush?
Try not to brush your teeth roughly. Gently massage the gums and avoid applying heavy pressure to the bristles of the toothbrush. The bristles will stay firmer longer, so the toothbrush will not get deformed. Also, it is better to choose toothbrushes that have rounded bristles because they clean your teeth more thoroughly and will not bend out easily.
Use toothbrush protection caps only when traveling and only when the toothbrush is completely dry. After each use, rinse the toothbrush well and thoroughly and leave it to dry in the upright position. Try not to let the toothbrush touch the toothbrushes of your housemates while it is standing in the glass.
From time to time, leave the toothbrush in the mouthwash for a while. This will help remove the bacteria that inevitably form on it during use.
If you want to schedule an examination or appointment with our dentists, call 011 2662 577 or visit us at Trstenjakova 3 Street in Belgrade. Our team of experts will be happy to give you professional advice on proper dental care and help make your smile your trademark.