Perhaps you do not remember the last time you replaced your toothbrush. It is quite interesting that a lot of people often take care of dumping any expired food, or perhaps remember restocking their supplements, and, of course, even find replacements for their beauty products! Yet, most people do not usually pay as much attention to their dental hygiene as they do to the rest.
If you do not remember the last time you replaced your toothbrush, and you do not know how often you should replace it, then this is just for you. Learn a few rules and pieces of advice about how to keep good oral hygiene.
When You Should Replace Your Toothbrush
Generally, dentists recommend you replace your toothbrush at least once every three months. As time goes by, toothbrushes go across normal wear and tear, and then they become less and less functional as they remove plaque from your teeth and your gums. According to most research, toothbrushes generally lose most of their effectiveness after three months of use.
Always Replace Your Toothbrush After Having a Cold
Another thing to have in mind that people generally disregard is that germs can actually hide in toothbrush bristles, and they can even start growing in them. For this reason, you must ensure that you replace your toothbrush at least once every three months, and more importantly after having a cold.
How to Avoid Fungi and Bacteria in Your Toothbrush’s Bristles
Germs are not the only ones who can build up in your toothbrush’s bristles. Fungi and bacteria can do so as well, but this can be avoided if you take care of rinsing it off and also drying it in depth after every time you use it. You should also save your toothbrush in an upright stance, uncovered, and apart from any worn-out toothbrushes.
In case you are traveling, covering your toothbrush’s head can help protect it from germs, so make sure you do so too.
I Don’t Remember the Last Time I Changed My Toothbrush
If you are unable to remember when was the last time you replaced your toothbrush, then you can check whether it is time to get a new one if you pay close attention to your present toothbrush’s details. In case that your toothbrush’s bristles are worn out or frayed, for instance, you should replace your toothbrush then. Also, if the bristles have dark color changes, that is a sign that you should get a new one too.
What if I Don’t Change My Toothbrush Every Three Months?
Here are some of the reasons why you should change your toothbrush every three months, including the ones mentioned before:
- Avoiding germs, bacteria, and fungi
- Avoiding damaging your gums. This might lead to gingivitis
- Avoiding ingesting undesired particles in case you store your toothbrush near a toilet
I Have More than Three Months without Having Changed My Toothbrush, What Should I Do?
Getting a dental exam is a good thing to do. In case you do not know where to get a dental exam, then we are here to offer our services.
At Tamara Rojas D.M.D. P.A., we offer a wide variety of services and treatments such as emergency appointments, dental exams, regenerative therapy, flap surgery, extractions, periodontics, and dental implants, to name a few.
We have a highly trained dental team and provide advanced dental treatment. All our materials and products are of high-quality and we can provide dental financing. If you want to know more about our services, do not hesitate to reach us now at (954) 963-4700 and get an appointment.