17 May, 2021

News

How Often Should I Change My Toothbrush?

Most of us know that toothbrushes are not designed to last forever, yet it can be hard to figure out when the bristles on our toothbrushes are nearing the end of their lifespan. How long you should keep your toothbrushes is dependent on many factors that we will discuss in this article.

Most of us know that toothbrushes are not designed to last forever, yet it can be hard to figure out when the bristles on our toothbrushes are nearing the end of their lifespan. How long you should keep your toothbrushes is dependent on many factors that we will discuss in this article. However, according to manufacturer guidelines and dentist recommendations, you should replace your toothbrush every 12 to 16 weeks. If you don’t replace a toothbrush or electric toothbrush head when it needs to be, it can have an adverse effect on your dental health and increase the risk of infection.

Risk factors for using a toothbrush beyond its recommended lifespan

Every time you use your toothbrush, the nylon bristles are exposed to water and chemicals from your toothpaste. This makes the bristles a little weaker with each use. As a result, the bristles bend and twist into a new shape known as “bristle flaring.”

A 2013 study by a trusted Source showed that after 40 days of consistent use, bristle flaring starts to make your toothbrush less effective. In addition, study participants who didn’t replace their toothbrushes on the 40th day of use experienced considerably more plaque buildup.

At least two earlier studies on worn toothbrush heads confirmed that older toothbrushes are much less efficient at removing plaque, which is the cause of gum disease and tooth decay.

Why do you need to change your toothbrush?

If you brush for two minutes, twice a day, as dental professionals recommend, then you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months. One of the reasons you should throw out your toothbrush after this length of time is that the bristles lose their cleaning ability, the bristles may fall out or change shape. Once the bristles become splayed, they won’t maintain their performance, and frayed bristles don’t reach the spots between the teeth and along the gum line correctly.

Infections

Viral and bacterial infections such as strep throat are of particular concern and are an excellent reason to switch your old toothbrush for a new one. Unfortunately, germs can also congregate on a toothbrush. While viruses are less likely to make you sick a second time, bacteria can stay on the bristles. Those germs can then transfer to the toothpaste tube when you load up, making other people in the household sick if you share toothpaste.

Change your child’s toothbrush

Children are less likely to properly take care of their toothbrushes, which means you might want to change toothbrushes for children more often than every three months, as they may mash on a toothbrush head or gnaw on the handle. Children are also more likely to expose their brush head to other surfaces besides their teeth.

Sharing toothbrushes

It’s important to remember that If anyone else uses your toothbrush by mistake, you must get rid of it. This is because everyone’s mouth harbours different bacteria, and sharing toothbrushes can make you very sick.

Germs

Another consideration that we don’t usually think about is that germs can build up in toothbrush bristles. This means it’s essential to replace your toothbrush after you’ve had a cold or risk possible reinfection.

Fungus and bacteria can develop in the bristles if you don’t take care of your brush correctly. After use, make sure you rinse off and dry your toothbrush thoroughly, storing it uncovered in an upright position and keeping it away from other used toothbrushes. When travelling, be sure to cover your toothbrush head to protect it and reduce the spread of germs.

If you can’t remember exactly how long it’s been, pay particular attention to the condition your toothbrush head is in – whether the bristles are worn out, fan-out, or frayed, or especially if you see dark colour changes, which is a sign of mould.

How often should you change an electric toothbrush head?

Electric toothbrush heads clean the surface area of your teeth by quickly rotating or vibrating. However, these toothbrush heads still have nylon bristles that can be worn down after regular use. What’s more, those bristles are shorter, which means that they may fray more quickly.

Plan to change out the toothbrush head on your electric toothbrush every 12 weeks or even earlier. Watch for signs of wear and tear on the bristles to know when it’s time to say goodbye to a brush head.

Conclusion

Your toothbrush is an essential oral hygiene tool. To maintain your toothbrush and make the most of its lifespan, use only your toothbrush, store it upright, and let it air dry.

Plan to replace the toothbrushes of every person in your family every 3 to 4 months, and mark your calendar on the date of the purchase, so you remember when it’s time to replace them again.

Some common suggestions among dental professionals are to look for toothbrushes with soft bristles, as stiff bristles damage your teeth and gums, choose a toothbrush head size that touches one or two teeth at a time, use a toothpaste containing fluoride approved by the ADA, consider using mouthwash to fight plaque and gingivitis further, and don’t forget to floss!

Consider investing in an electric toothbrush, as these have been proven to improve oral health beyond what a manual toothbrush can do by removing plaque, reducing gingivitis and eliminating teeth staining. They’ve also been shown to minimize the amount of plaque on the teeth of people with periodontal disease.

Do your research on what products fit your needs best, and don’t forget to ask your dentist for recommendations.

Most of us know that toothbrushes are not designed to last forever, yet it can be hard to figure out when the bristles on our toothbrushes are nearing the end of their lifespan. How long you should keep your toothbrushes is dependent on many factors that we will discuss in this article.

A visit to the dentist doesn’t have to be something to dread. Our esteemed team of dental professionals and oral hygienists aim to ensure that your routine visit to Swedish Dental is as welcoming and comfortable as possible.

For some, a visit to the dentist can be an anxiety-inducing, nerve-wracking experience. But just by making it to the chair, you are closer to better overall health, and you’ll be smiling with more confidence. This article will provide a guide on what to expect from your twice-annual dental visit to make you more comfortable and know what to expect.

Why do you need a dental check-up?

A dental check-up allows your dentist to see if you have any dental problems and helps you keep your mouth healthy. Leaving issues untreated could make them more challenging to treat in the future, so it’s best to deal with problems early or, if possible, prevent them altogether.

Generally, the lower your risk of dental problems, the longer you can wait before your next check-up. So people with good oral health will probably need to attend only once every 12 to 24 months, but those with more problems will require regular check-ups.

What to expect from a dental check-up?

A dental check-up and a dental exam are often used interchangeably. However, some people distinguish that a hygienist handles the dental check-up while a dentist is responsible for the dental exam. The exam is more technical and requires the expertise of a dentist.

A hygienist or a certified dental assistant will begin your dental check-up with a teeth cleaning that includes the following:

  • Take X-rays if needed
  • Diagnose decayed teeth, inflammation in the gum or periodontitis
  • Using various tools and instruments, they will remove or scrape tartar and plaque from around your gum line and the surface of your teeth.
  • Polish your teeth
  • Report their findings to the dentist if needed.

X-rays

It is routine for your dentist and dental hygienist to carry out x-rays if it´s indicated, on occasion, during your dental check-up. X-rays allow your dentist/hygienist not only to identify existing problems that might not be visible during a routine dental examination yet but to be aware of any problems that may present in the future.

In adults, x-rays can identify dental decay, impacted teeth, jawbone damage, cysts, tumours and abscesses. X-rays taken of children’s mouths will allow the dentist to see where the adult teeth will grow in.

Your dentist will decide which type of x-ray you need and explain why you are receiving an x-ray and how the x-ray works. Your dentist or dental assistant will set the machine up and leave the room before taking the x-ray to ensure your dentist doesn’t get too much exposure to the machine. Your dentist will only take x-rays when they believe it to be necessary.

After your teeth have been cleaned, your dentist will perform an exam if needed:

  • Examine your gums, soft palate, throat and neck, checking for any abnormalities
  • Examine jaw muscles
  • Review any X-rays that may have been taken
  • Recommend any additional dental work you might need to maintain oral health
  • Discuss your overall oral health and habits

How much does a dental check-up cost?

The cost of a dental check-up depends on your dental plan and how much work is done during your visit. For example, routine teeth cleaning may be covered, depending on your dental plan. If a dentist recommends additional dental work, they will provide you with an estimate of the cost ahead of time.

A First or Non-Routine Visit

If it’s been a while since you’ve seen the dentist, you can expect the same care as a routine visit. Patient appointments and visits after more than a couple of years have passed usually require X-rays. The dentist wants a complete look at what’s going on inside your teeth, gums, and supporting bone structures.

Plan to hang in there for a deep cleaning session with the hygienist. The longer you wait between visits, the more hard tartar buildup on teeth and around the gumline. (If your teeth are sensitive, talk to the hygienist or dentist about numbing options to lessen pain before the work starts.) Having tartar removed can be uncomfortable, but the clean, smooth feel of your teeth after and the fact you’ll walk out with fresher breath is very much worth it.

What if something is wrong with my teeth?

Your dentist will tell you right away if your dental exam reveals anything unusual. Then, they may recommend additional procedures or refer you to a specialist. For example, if you would like your teeth straightened, a dentist may refer you to an orthodontist specialising in that kind of dentistry.

How often do I need a dental check-up?

Getting a dental check-up at least once a year can help maintain the overall health of your teeth and mouth and help identify any problems early. A build-up of tartar can cause long-term issues. To avoid any dental issues that require expensive procedures, consider getting at least one dental check-up and dental exam each year.

If you have a dental plan, make sure you know what’s covered for dental care. Dental costs vary depending on what work you need to be done and the type of dental insurance you have. You can start taking control of the expenses by learning ahead of time what kind of dental procedures and treatments your plan covers.

Most of us know that toothbrushes are not designed to last forever, yet it can be hard to figure out when the bristles on our toothbrushes are nearing the end of their lifespan. How long you should keep your toothbrushes is dependent on many factors that we will discuss in this article.

However, according to manufacturer guidelines and dentist recommendations, you should replace your toothbrush every 12 to 16 weeks. If you don’t replace a toothbrush or electric toothbrush head when it needs to be, it can have an adverse effect on your dental health and increase the risk of infection.

Risk factors for using a toothbrush beyond its recommended lifespan

Every time you use your toothbrush, the nylon bristles are exposed to water and chemicals from your toothpaste. This makes the bristles a little weaker with each use. As a result, the bristles bend and twist into a new shape known as “bristle flaring.”

A 2013 study by a trusted source showed that after 40 days of consistent use, bristle flaring starts to make your toothbrush less effective. In addition, study participants who didn’t replace their toothbrushes on the 40th day of use experienced considerably more plaque buildup.

At least two earlier studies on worn toothbrush heads confirmed that older toothbrushes are much less efficient at removing plaque, which is the cause of gum disease and tooth decay.

Why do you need to change your toothbrush?

If you brush for two minutes, twice a day, as dental professionals recommend, then you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months. One of the reasons you should throw out your toothbrush after this length of time is that the bristles lose their cleaning ability, the bristles may fall out or change shape. Once the bristles become splayed, they won’t maintain their performance, and frayed bristles don’t reach the spots between the teeth and along the gum line correctly.

Infections

Viral and bacterial infections such as strep throat are of particular concern and are an excellent reason to switch your old toothbrush for a new one. Unfortunately, germs can also congregate on a toothbrush. While viruses are less likely to make you sick a second time, bacteria can stay on the bristles. Those germs can then transfer to the toothpaste tube when you load up, making other people in the household sick if you share toothpaste.

Change your child’s toothbrush

Children are less likely to properly take care of their toothbrushes, which means you might want to change toothbrushes for children more often than every three months, as they may mash on a toothbrush head or gnaw on the handle. Children are also more likely to expose their brush head to other surfaces besides their teeth.

Sharing toothbrushes

It’s important to remember that If anyone else uses your toothbrush by mistake, you must get rid of it. This is because everyone’s mouth harbours different bacteria, and sharing toothbrushes can make you very sick.

Germs

Another consideration that we don’t usually think about is that germs can build up in toothbrush bristles. This means it’s essential to replace your toothbrush after you’ve had a cold or risk possible reinfection.

Fungus and bacteria can develop in the bristles if you don’t take care of your brush correctly. After use, make sure you rinse off and dry your toothbrush thoroughly, storing it uncovered in an upright position and keeping it away from other used toothbrushes. When travelling, be sure to cover your toothbrush head to protect it and reduce the spread of germs.

If you can’t remember exactly how long it’s been, pay particular attention to the condition your toothbrush head is in – whether the bristles are worn out, fan-out, or frayed, or especially if you see dark colour changes, which is a sign of mould.

How often should you change an electric toothbrush head?

Electric toothbrush heads clean the surface area of your teeth by quickly rotating or vibrating. However, these toothbrush heads still have nylon bristles that can be worn down after regular use. What’s more, those bristles are shorter, which means that they may fray more quickly.

Plan to change out the toothbrush head on your electric toothbrush every 12 weeks or even earlier. Watch for signs of wear and tear on the bristles to know when it’s time to say goodbye to a brush head.

Conclusion

Your toothbrush is an essential tool to maintain healthy oral hygiene. To maintain your toothbrush and make the most of its lifespan, use only your toothbrush, store it upright, and let it air dry.

Plan to replace the toothbrushes of every person in your family every 3 to 4 months, and mark your calendar on the date of the purchase, so you remember when it’s time to replace them again.

Some common suggestions among dental professionals are to look for toothbrushes with soft bristles, as stiff bristles damage your teeth and gums, choose a toothbrush head size that touches one or two teeth at a time, use a toothpaste containing fluoride, consider using mouthwash to fight plaque and gingivitis further, and don’t forget to floss!

Consider investing in an electric toothbrush, as these have been proven to improve oral health beyond what a manual toothbrush can do by removing plaque, reducing gingivitis and eliminating teeth staining. They’ve also been shown to minimize the amount of plaque on the teeth of people with periodontal disease.

Do your research on what products fit your needs best, and don’t forget to ask your dentist for recommendations.

2023-08-31T09:55:19+01:00
Go to Top