When it comes to dental hygiene, you likely remember to brush your teeth twice daily. After all, dentists tend to emphasize that practice the most! However, did you know you should switch your toothbrush at times too? Regularly changing this tool is just as essential to oral health as how often you brush. To prove it, your dentist in St. Albans is here with more details. Read on to learn when to change your toothbrush, why you should, and some care tips for the appliance.
When Should I Switch My Toothbrush?
As you might know, a new toothbrush will have straight, stiff, and clean bristles. These features make it your most effective tool against food debris, oral bacteria, tartar, and more. Rubbing its bristles against your teeth will remove harmful things from your mouth.
Still, no toothbrush lasts forever. Over time, each one will suffer wear and tear as it’s used. Given this process, most dentists recommend changing your toothbrush every three to four months. If you were recently ill, the switch might need to happen sooner; keeping the brush could reinfect you with the earlier illness.
What Happens if I Don’t?
If you don’t switch your toothbrush at the right time (or at all), it’ll suffer from the following problems:
- Worn & Frayed Bristles: A toothbrush’s bristles start fraying around three months. At that point, they get less effective at ridding your teeth of plaque and bacteria.
- A Buildup of Bacteria: When used over time, bristles carry more oral bacteria. As such, a toothbrush over three or four months old exposes your mouth to harmful germs. The result is an increased risk of tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
How Should I Care for a Toothbrush?
For a toothbrush to work well for three or four months, you must clean it daily. In particular, dry it out after each use. Not doing so would make it into a breeding ground for bacteria. Therefore, shake it under some tap water and place it upright to let it dry.
Furthermore, store your toothbrush safely. Don’t share it with family members or let it touch other toothbrushes. Either of these acts could pass cold or flu viruses. Instead, place it somewhere isolated, like a standard toothbrush holder.
Using your toothbrush is important, but just as essential is switching it out often. That said, talk to your dentist in St. Albans for more toothbrush tips and suggestions!
About the Practice
St. Albans Dental is based in St. Alban’s City, VT. As led by Drs. Saini and Aten, our practice gives its patients highly personalized dental care. To that end, we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, including emergency procedures. Our office is also proud to provide Invisalign clear aligners and sleep apnea therapies. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (802)-524-4844.