Getting a good toothbrush is only the beginning of your commitment to long-term dental health. Over time, you will need to recycle this brush and get new Nada recyclable toothbrush heads to keep cavities and plaque at bay. Thankfully, you do not have to replace your toothbrush or brush head frequently. Three months seems to be a good timeframe for one toothbrush or toothbrush head. Keep reading to know how often you should replace your toothbrush:
When to Get a New Toothbrush or Brush Head
Generally, it is important to change your toothbrush or brush head every 3 months. The reason is that the bristles of a regular toothbrush can begin to fray and bend around this period. When this happens, they may no longer be as effective in scraping away bacteria and plaque as they use to be. But you should change your toothbrush or brush head once the bristles are losing their effectiveness even if it happens before the three-month mark. And if it’s time to get a new toothbrush, you should consider upgrading to a more advanced option. New toothbrushes come with bristles that can reach below the gum line and get rid of more bacteria and plaque than their older counterparts can.
How to Know It’s Time to Change Your Toothbrush
If you are not sure whether your current toothbrush must be replaced, here are signs to watch out for:
- The bristles have worn down. New and functional toothbrush bristles are straight and pointy but not too stiff or sharp. Meanwhile, worn bristles tend to bend too easily under pressure. The bristles may be splitting into smaller ones that can no longer effectively scrape plaque away.
- You have been sick. After contracting the flu or a cold, you must replace your toothbrush as soon as possible. The germs from the sickness stay on the brush head for weeks following your recovery. So, get a new toothbrush head before you overcome the sickness and use it after you have recovered from it.
- Your notice your toothbrush is not doing a good job. After you thoroughly brush your teeth, investigate your teeth with your tongue or eyes. Your teeth should feel and look clean; otherwise, you must replace your current toothbrush.
- Your toothbrush smells. If your toothbrush head has been infected with bacteria, you do not want to put it in your mouth. Ideally, you need to clean your brush head regularly. If you have not been doing this, consider getting a new toothbrush.
