How often do you replace your toothbrush? If you are like most people, you replace them when they are worn out. If you have been doing this your oral health may be at risk. 

As you know, toothbrushes are designed to remove plaque, food remains, and harmful bacteria that can damage the teeth and cause bad breath. If you don’t change your toothbrush regularly, it will not be able to clean your mouth effectively. This may increase the odds of your developing some oral conditions. 

Health experts have pointed out that toothbrushes should be replaced after every 3 months, regardless of the material they were made from. Whether you are using a plastic, electric, or bamboo toothbrush, you should change it after using it for 3 months. 

In this article, we are going to be exploring some reasons why you should replace your toothbrush every 3 months.  

3 reasons why you should replace your toothbrush every 3 months 

Your old toothbrush is loaded with bacteria 

The reason why many people don’t change their toothbrush regularly is that they think their toothbrush is clean and bacterial-free. But that is far from the truth. The American Dental Association has pointed out that bacteria can attach themselves to the bristles on our toothbrushes. 

To ensure that your mouth is clean 

We brush our mouths every day to prevent bad breath and to get rid of harmful bacteria. If you have been using your toothbrush for more than 3 months, chances are, its bristles are splayed. Toothbrushes with worn-out and splayed bristles will not be able to remove plaque and food remains from the gum, between the teeth, and some hard-to-reach areas.  Since your old toothbrush can clean your teeth properly, the odds of you having oral conditions like cavities will be high. 

To prevent damage to your gum 

The last thing you want when brushing your teeth is to injure your gum. Using an old toothbrush can increase the odds of this happening. 

The bristles on new toothbrushes usually have the same height and are well-rounded. This is done to prevent them from damaging the gum and scraping the enamel. 

When you use a toothbrush for more than 3 months, there is a huge possibility that its bristles will be uneven and rough. If you keep using it, your gum may be damaged. 

Signs that you should replace your toothbrush 

If you aren’t using a high-quality plastic or bamboo toothbrush, its efficiency is going to be reduced after using it for a few weeks or a month. So if you notice that your toothbrush looks worn after using it for a short while you should consider changing it. Below are some signs that you should change your toothbrush. 

  • Worn out bristles 
  • It has a bad smell 
  • If you feel fuzzy after using it brush your teeth 
  • If you can’t remember exactly when you last changed it 

How to extend the shelf life of your toothbrush 

Regardless of the type of toothbrush you use, there are steps you can take to make it last up to 3 months. Below are some of them. 

Don’t apply too much pressure 

Many people have the notion that applying pressure when brushing their teeth will make their mouths super clean. But that isn’t the case. Applying too much pressure can damage your enamel and your toothbrush. 

Rinse the bristles thoroughly

After brushing your teeth you should rinse the toothbrush bristles thoroughly before storing it. Doing this will help eliminate residues, toothpaste leftovers, and some harmful bacteria on the bristles. 

Shake it off to remove excess moisture 

After rinsing your toothbrush you should shake it a few times to remove excess moisture. Health experts have pointed out that harmful bacteria are more likely to thrive on a wet toothbrush than on dry ones. Besides preventing the growth of bacteria, shaking your toothbrush can extend the lifespan of your toothbrush, especially if you are using a bamboo toothbrush.  

Final note 

To improve your oral health and prevent periodontal diseases, you should brush your teeth regularly. While you have the freedom to use either a plastic, electric, or bamboo toothbrush, you should ensure that you change it after 3 months of use. Even if your old toothbrush is still in great shape, you should still change it as its bristles are loaded with harmful bacteria that can cause serious general and oral health conditions.