How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

Your toothbrush is an important tool to help you enjoy positive oral health. In this blog post, we review how you can maximize the effectiveness of your toothbrush.

Proper Brushing Technique

Toothbrush bristles can irritate your gums, damage your enamel, fray, and flatten if you brush too hard or aggressively drag your toothbrush across your teeth. Brush your teeth using gentle, small circles to safely clean the surface of your teeth and prevent premature wear and tear of your toothbrush.

Sharing Your Toothbrush

While some people share their toothbrush with a significant other, we don’t recommend this practice! A toothbrush that goes through twice as much brushing is going to wear down twice as quickly, and the sharing of potential bacteria and food particles can increase your chances of developing an oral health issue.

Keeping Your Toothbrush Clean & Dry

Whenever you finish brushing your teeth, rinse it thoroughly in water to wash away leftover bacteria and particles. Ideally, let it fully dry upright between brushing sessions. Although it’s OK to use a toothbrush case or cover to protect your toothbrush in your luggage when traveling, don’t keep it stored this way for long.

Replace Every 3 Months

Even with the above tips in practice, we recommend replacing your toothbrush every 3 months for optimal cleaning performance. Replace it more often if you get sick or notice the bristles look frayed.

Preventive Dentistry in Arlington, VA

In addition to brushing your teeth with a clean, dry toothbrush twice a day for two minutes each time, visit Ballston Dental Care twice a year for routine cleanings and examinations to make sure your teeth and gums are in great shape.

We offer a variety of dental services for the whole family! We’d love to take care of your smile. Contact us today to schedule an appointment. We also invite you to visit our financial page for information about our payment options!