Has Your Toothbrush Seen Better Days?

We all intuitively understand that a toothbrush cannot last forever; sooner or later, it has to be replaced. What you might not realize is just how frequent those replacements should be. Here’s a quick guide to how often you should replace your toothbrush.

Routine Replacement

A well-made toothbrush can look practically brand new even after many months of use. This might sound great, but don’t let the appearance of your brush fool you; no matter how pristine it looks, you need to replace it about every three months. 

This isn’t just a silly rule, either. It is standard advice from many professional organizations, including the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

At the same time, this schedule isn’t perfect. You might need to replace your toothbrush even sooner.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Toothbrush

Whether or not those three months have passed, if you notice any of the following signs, it’s time to make the switch to a new brush:

• The bristles are bent, falling out, feel strange to the touch, or are starting to fray.
• You’ve been sick with a contagious illness.
• The brush was stored in a travel container recently.
• Someone else touched your toothbrush.
• You dropped your toothbrush.
• Your teeth don’t feel perfectly clean after brushing.
• Your brush has a funky smell.

In addition to these, if you cannot remember when you last replaced your brush, go ahead and buy a new one. 

Keeping to Your Toothbrush Replacement Schedule

Brushing your teeth is so routine, it pretty much becomes part of the background noise of your daily life. This can make it hard to remember when those three months have passed. So, what are some ways you can make it easier to stick to your replacement schedule?

• Always replace all the brushes in your house on the first day of the new season. This guarantees you’ll replace your brush every three months.
• Use a smart device to set a reminder. This way, you don’t have to keep anything specific in mind. 
• Establish a recurring toothbrush order. Amazon has a plan-and-save feature that can help with this. 
• Keep extra toothbrushes around. If you set a reminder but don’t have a new brush on hand, it is easy to just forget and not end up replacing yours. 

Remember: healthy teeth start with the right supplies. Make sure you have a fresh brush and a quality, enamel-restoring toothpaste on hand at all times!