Your Sharonville Dentist Wants to Know: How Old Is Your Toothbrush?

If you’re like most people, you’ll get your hair cut or trimmed regularly. You also replace worn-out socks and underwear. But how often do you switch out your toothbrush?

Assuming you brush at least twice daily, you’ll need to replace your toothbrush more often than you think. A worn-out toothbrush can be unsightly, but its appearance shouldn’t be your main concern. A brush you’ve used for a year or longer cleans your teeth less effectively.

The best dentists in Cincinnati, including your Sharonville professionals at Beckham Square Family Dental stress replacing your toothbrush every three months. If you don’t, your toothbrush may still look fine, but it may not clean your teeth as thoroughly as they need.

How to Tell Your Toothbrush Needs Replacing

Take a look at your toothbrush. Are the bristles standing straight up? Then it’s in good shape. There are telltale signs that your current brush should be retired:

• The bristles bend or point diagonally.
• The bristles are frayed, or it looks like some have disappeared.
• Your teeth don’t feel as clean or slippery when you run your tongue across them right after brushing.
• It smells, which means that it has bacteria.
• If you were sick recently, you can reinfect yourself with the viruses and bacteria left on the brush.
• You don’t remember the last time you switched brushes, which likely means it’s been longer than three months.

When you’re getting close to needing a new toothbrush, add it to your shopping list so you don’t end up using an old brush that doesn’t clean your teeth as effectively.

Tips for Replacing Your Toothbrush

The best rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush every three months. Most of us don’t stick to the three-month rule because we forget. An easy hack is to time your toothbrush replacements with the changing seasons. For example, spring is a welcome change after a long, cold winter. It’s also a good reminder to get a new brush.

When you remember it’s time to change your toothbrush, you might not have a replacement on hand. That happens. The trick is to buy multi-packs of toothbrushes, so you always have a backup when you notice the bristles starting to bend. Also, if you keep up with your six-month dental visits, you’ll likely leave your dentist’s office with a free toothbrush that you can use later.

Here are some tips for picking your next toothbrush:

• Go for soft bristles. Medium or hard bristles will wear down your enamel.
• Select a brush with a handle that’s easy to hold and maneuver.
• Choose an electric toothbrush instead of a manual one if you tend to press too hard or have dexterity issues.
• Pick a brush with a small enough head to reach those back teeth.
• Buy a toothbrush with the American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance to ensure you’re buying a safe and effective product.

Your Sharonville Partner for Healthier Smiles

If you need additional advice on replacing your toothbrush or have any other dental concerns, the professionals at Beckham Square Family Dental are here to help. Reach out to us anytime if you have questions by filling out our online contact form, where you can also schedule your next appointment.