How Often Should I Change My Toothbrush?
Ideally, you should change your toothbrush every three months. To ensure you get maximum cleaning from every brushing session, always replace your toothbrush after a maximum of four months. Brush heads older than this remove significantly less plaque.
Keep an eye on your brush and change it if you notice bristles are frayed or feel rough instead of smooth. You should also change your brush after any major bacterial or viral infection. Consider using disposable travel toothbrushes whenever you will be traveling internationally.
Why Should I Change My Toothbrush?
The main reason to change your toothbrush frequently is to ensure you remove as much dental plaque as possible each time you brush. As the tips of toothbrush bristles wear down, they are less able to penetrate into the nooks and crannies of teeth, especially the hard to reach back molars.
Since they are less smooth, older brush heads are more likely to irritate the gums while brushing.
Toothbrushes also become progressively more difficult to keep clean as they age. Bacteria from the moist, dark environment of the bathroom can settle into bristles and may be difficult to remove. This could lead to reinfection even weeks or months in the future.
