HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH?

Brushing the teeth is one of the basic dental hygiene routines to keep the mouth, teeth and gums clean and germ-free. When you sleep at night, the harmful bacteria in the mouth feed on the debris and form plaque that settles on the teeth and the gums. Hence it is necessary to brush your teeth in the morning and remove the harmful plaque from the mouth. Similarly, consuming food and drinks all over the day leaves food residues, acids and plaque in the mouth that is cleaned by brushing the teeth at night before going to bed. Thus brushing the teeth twice a day is quintessential for good oral health. If you are wondering how often should you brush your teeth, here is the detailed answer to that.

Before your begin brushing your teeth, two important things to consider are the type of toothpaste and toothbrush you use. There are various types of toothpaste available in the market like desensitizing toothpaste, anti-plaque toothpaste, teeth whitening toothpaste, etc., choose the toothpaste that suits your dental health requirements. 

Another thing to consider is choosing the best toothbrush. Go for a toothbrush that has softer bristles, ADA approved, the size of the brush head is convenient enough to clean every portion of the mouth, and the brush is comfortable to hold on to. 

As essential it is to choose the right toothbrush, it is crucial to know when to replace the toothbrush. 

WHY SHOULD YOU REPLACE THE TOOTHBRUSH?

Prolonged use of a toothbrush makes its bristles ineffective after a certain point in time. The bristles get worn out and do not efficiently clean the teeth which leave plaque on the teeth and gum line that, in turn, give rise to infections. 

Also when you leave your toothbrush in the bathroom, the bacteria and the germs in the surroundings settle on the bristles that get into your mouth when you brush the teeth. Hence always rinse your brush with water before applying toothpaste and brushing your teeth.

A toothbrush needs to be replaced when you return from a long tour where your brush might have come in contact with several dirt and pollutants. Replace the toothbrush when you recover from a disease so that the germs of the infection do not attack you once again.

WHEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE THE TOOTHBRUSH?

Now that you know it is essential to replace your toothbrush and do not stick to your same beloved brush for a lifetime, it is essential to know when to replace it. The Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) advises replacing the toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. However, you do not have to wait for so long if the bristles are damaged and lost their effectiveness, replace the brush immediately. 

Electric toothbrushes are being promoted today as electric toothbrushes have many benefits. When you consider an electric toothbrush, you do not have to replace the entire brush but only the brush head. The bristles on the electric toothbrush head are made of nylon and are comparatively smaller, so they easily get worn out of quickly rotating and vibrating while cleaning the teeth. You must replace the brush head of the electric toothbrush every 12 weeks.   

Apart from replacing the toothbrush, it is essential to follow a good dental hygiene routine and visit the dental clinic for your regular dental checkup routine that preserves your dental health. Visit our clinic, The Elite Dental Care, the best dental clinic in Tracy, California for your dental checkup and professional dental cleanings.