There are various dental restoration options in cases where you have issues with your teeth. But who wouldn’t want to preserve the original healthy teeth if good oral health practices can do the job? Daily cleaning of your teeth can prevent tooth decay, avoid gum disease, eliminate bad breath, protect teeth from staining, and maintain overall oral health. To do this, you need toothpaste, flosses, water, mouthwash, and the most important… toothbrushes!
A small, handheld oral hygiene tool designed for cleaning teeth, gums, and the tongue is the main feature of a toothbrush. Its parts include a handle that offers a sturdy grip to hold the tool comfortably and a head where the bristles that clean the teeth are attached. These bristles are made of soft, medium, or hard nylon fibers that remove plaque and food debris from teeth surfaces. It can be used manually with a manual toothbrush or performed with automated brushing motion through the electric toothbrush powered by a battery or electricity.
Since dentists recommend twice daily toothbrushing, the toothbrush bristles experience wearing down and they become less effective in cleaning your teeth and gums. So, a replacement is needed. But do you know that other factors can be considered for substituting your toothbrush for a new one?
Every Three to Four Months. Dental professionals recommend changing toothbrushes every three to four months. It is because regular brushing will actually reduce their cleaning power in due time. The bristles become worn out, no longer straight, soften, and fray, so a replacement is needed.
When You’ve Been Sick. If you’ve recently been sick especially with a contagious illness like cold or flu, it is a good practice to change your toothbrush once you have recovered. This is because germs can linger on the bristles and potentially reintroduce bacteria into your mouth. With a new toothbrush, you reduce the risk of reinfection and ensure you’re not harboring any unwanted germs.
When the Bristles are Frayed. Even if three months have not lapsed, but your bristles are already frayed or bent, it’s time to replace your toothbrush. Instead of scrubbing away plaque, these worn-out bristles will simply spread the bacteria around your mouth. Bristles that start to splay out, lose their original shape, or are no longer firm signify the need for a new one.
After a Major Life Event. Switching to a new diet or incorporating new habits like teeth whitening or using a fluoride rinse are situations that need a new toothbrush. These changes can cause your toothbrush to wear down more quickly due to more frequent brushing,
Changes in Your Oral Health. If you experience persistent discomfort with your toothbrush, increased plaque build-up, gum irritation, or sensitivity, it’s time to change your toothbrush. Your brush may not be effective anymore which is why these problems continue to worsen, it’s worth considering a replacement.
Replacing your toothbrush at the right time is a simple yet very important step in maintaining your oral hygiene. Not only time but also the condition of your brush and oral health are determinants of a toothbrush replacement. So, be aware of the signs… a new toothbrush will help you keep your teeth clean, gums healthy, and smile bright!
