As stated by the American Dental Association (ADA), you should be looking at switching your old toothbrush with a new one every three months to four months. Now, in the meantime, if you see that the bristles on your existing toothbrush are bent or matted, you’re suggested to replace the toothbrush right away.
Now let’s do some maths on this. If you’re brushing your teeth for two minutes, three times a day, in three months, you have used your brush for five hundred and forty minutes, which proves that your toothbrush is ready for retirement.
Why Should You Change Your Toothbrush Every Three Months?
Your toothbrush needs to go into the fine spaces between your teeth to do a good job. And for this, the bristles should be firm. If the toothbrush’s bristles are bent, it will not do the job it is designed to do.
The front bristles are made of nylon, and the head’s alignment is such that it protects the enamel and gum tissue. Every time you brush your teeth, the bristles start becoming uneven due to the pressure and friction. Due to which your gum tissue can easily scrape away, leaving the mouth vulnerable to more damage.
As per the CDC, you should disinfect your toothbrush before using it for the first time. Even if your toothbrush maintains has been removed from the packaging. There is a possibility that the toothbrush has had contact with blood, saliva, food debris, and cross-contaminated toothpaste.
What Will Happen If you Do not Change Your Toothbrush?
You are at high risk if you haven’t changed your toothbrush in the last three to four months.
If you are still recovering from an illness or have just recovered completely, the bugs that caused the disease could still be living on your toothbrush because you used the same toothbrush when you were ill. Always keep in mind that even if your brush looks clean, the human mouth contains hundreds of microorganisms. Hence, dentists will recommend you to change your toothbrush after an illness.
If you do not adhere to the suggestions, the accumulated bacteria turn into a sticky plaque. If you still take the matter lightly and do not treat it, this plaque can become a more problematic substance known as tartar. This tartar acts as a hard, grimy bacterium wall, which now your toothbrush cannot remove. This situation can result in tooth decay, gum disease, and other potentially serious health issues.
You can also check your toothbrush’s quality by gliding your tongue around the surface doesn’t feel slick; it’s time to change your toothbrush.
What Will Your Dentist Say?
Your dentist will most probably tell you that “The most common day to day issue is a toothache due to gross decay. If it’s been about three to four months, it’s time you change your toothbrush. If the bristles of your toothbrush frayed, they will not clean teeth as they should as thoroughly. A new toothbrush is always the best option.
To learn more about toothbrushes, we are here to help you. Call Almond Dental at 612-782-7000