When to Say Goodbye to an Old Friend: The Importance of Replacing Your Toothbrush on a Regular Basis

A toothbrush is a valuable tool for maintaining oral health – but only to a certain point. That point is reached when you’ve had your toothbrush for so long, it’s practically a member of the family. Because a past-its-prime toothbrush can harbor bacteria – as well as create other nasty conditions – replacing your toothbrush on a regular basis is just as important as brushing your teeth on a regular basis. We’ll quickly dispense with the mystery on that issue, but also provide valuable information on proper toothbrush care, hygiene and myths. You may never look at your toothbrush the same way again!

A good rule of thumb is that if you can’t remember when you bought your toothbrush, it’s time to replace it. However,     Colgate  recommends investing in a new one every     three to four months  under normal circumstances. Replace sooner if you’ve been sick – especially if your toothbrush is stored closely to other toothbrushes. You may risk     re-infecting yourself  or infecting others in your household.

Other pointers from Colgate:

How important is a clean toothbrush? Researchers at the University of Manchester, England, report that the     typical toothbrush   is home to more than 100 million bacteria – including E. coli and staphylococci (staph). On a reassuring note, according to     OnHealth , you probably won’t get an infection from your own toothbrush. “Even if your brush is covered in bacteria, your immune system can usually take care of any bacterial invaders,” the article reports. “However, you should still care for your toothbrush properly and keep it clean.”

 A less-than-fresh toothbrush may put you in the dentist’s chair or even the doctor’s office, as it’s your   first line of defense  against   gum disease . Untreated periodontal (gum) disease can lead to heart disease. According to R. Thomas Glass, DDS, PhD, professor of dentistry and pathology at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, brushing your teeth – particularly with an electric toothbrush – can actually push germs under your gums. A frayed, worn toothbrush is more likely to do so.

And did we mention     halitosis ? This unpleasant condition is frequently caused by bacteria trapped between the teeth and under the gum line – which, in turn, eventually leads to periodontal disease. A new, clean toothbrush alone won’t prevent halitosis if you don’t practice basic oral hygiene, but it’s an indispensable part of the program.

If you think your toothbrush is clean because you keep it in a toothbrush holder, think again! A study by the     National Sanitation Foundation  (NSF) found that     toothbrush holders  are the third-most germy household items (behind dish sponges and kitchen sinks). Wash with hot, soapy water, followed by a sanitizing wipe once or twice weekly.

 United Concordia Dental  offers additional     cleanliness advice :

Regarding the aforementioned myths, you don’t have to do anything special to keep a toothbrush sanitary during its useful life. Rinsing with water and storing upright to dry is all that’s necessary. Soaking the brush in hand sanitizer could make you sick, due to its high ethyl alcohol content, and cleaning it in a dishwasher can quickly cause wear-and-tear, make it necessary to replace even more frequently.

We at     24/7 Local Dentist  hope the more unpleasant facts weren’t TMI, but the helpful information you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Of course, we also recommend regular professional cleanings.     Contact us  to schedule a visit to ensure your best possible smile!