Brushing is probably the first personal hygiene habit we learn as children. Indeed, this simple understated tool has the power to fight cavities and prevent bad breath and bleeding gums, all at once.
But however attached you get to your toothbrush you need to know when it’s time to say goodbye. Finding that sweet spot for discarding your toothbrush is challenging—often skipped, forgotten or simply overlooked. So, with this in mind, let’s answer the question “How often should I change my toothbrush?”
Are You Changing Yours Enough?
Did you know that old toothbrushes can harm your oral health?
When a toothbrush becomes overused, it no longer cleans and can even cause cavities. Take your standard electric toothbrush as an example…
Nearly 12 million people have switched to electric toothbrushes in recent times. Yet, in one statistical report, 4 out of every 10 people don’t change their toothbrush head for 5 months or more.
The fact is this…
Manual toothbrushes or electric ones need to be replaced periodically for the following 5 reasons:
#1 - They can nullify the dentist’s efforts
Tooth brushing is key to regular oral hygiene. Studies show that toothbrushes with severe wear were less effective than those with no or light wear. They fail to clean the nooks and crevices between teeth—the food residues and plaque build up, reversing your dentist’s efforts to keep your smile healthy and happy.
#2 – Abrasions
Science says that old, frayed toothbrush bristles are one of the many factors that can slowly and steadily damage tooth enamel—causing deep cuts and grooves on the tooth, along the gum lines.
Referred to as ‘cervical abrasions’, they can cause severe tooth sensitivity, cavities and, in the worst cases, even tooth fracture.
#3 - Cuts and bruises
Frayed, worn-out bristles stick out like hair on a bad hair day….They’re less flexible, rough, and pokey—hurting your gums and causing cuts and bruises, which, if left untreated, can develop into mouth ulcers.
#4 - Bacterial Build up
Over time, toothbrushes gather water, toothpaste and other residues. If left open in a bathroom, they gather moisture and germs from bathroom air – making them a haven for bacterial growth. One study even suggests that your toothbrush collects more bacteria than your average toilet seat, over 10 million, and includes things like influenza viruses, streptococcus, staphylococcus and yep, even faecal matter!
#5 – A worn toothbrush can Impact overall health
Gum diseases caused by prolonged plaque, tartar and oral bacteria—have been shown to worsen diabetes and neurological diseases, and increase the risk of cardiovascular incidents, pregnancy mishaps and more. A worn toothbrush can contribute to making these worse.
The reality is that despite regular cleaning and scrubbing if toothbrushes are dirty, they become the breeding ground for bacteria. So yes, your old toothbrush could be delivering a fresh dose of unhealthy bacteria soon after you clean your mouth.
How Often Should I Change My Toothbrush? – What The Science Says
Here’s a compilation from top dental publications and what dentists say about the right time to change your toothbrush:
The Recommendations
The British Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Irish Dental Association, the Union Française pour la Santé and most top dental organisations unanimously agree that toothbrushes should be changed every 3-4 months.
Guidelines in France suggest replacing toothbrushes every 2-3 months with a 3-minute, three-times-a-day use. This recommendation may have been outdated due to different quality and harder bristles. Today’s toothbrushes have softer bristles, reducing periodontal damage without reducing plaque removal efficacy, making 3-4 months a more realistic timescale.
What The Dentists Say
Toothbrush packaging occasionally includes the manufacturer’s recommendation that the toothbrush be discarded after three months. If a person brushes for 2 minutes, two times a day, 3 months might be equivalent to around 500 minutes of brushing per toothbrush’s recommended lifetime.
Dentists say that the proposed lifespan for a toothbrush varies depending on the individual or organisation suggesting it. Certain cases may necessitate more frequent changes, whereas others may benefit from a 3-4 month interval.
Visible Signs
Naturally, these timescales aren’t a “given” in every case scenario and there are some key visual clues that should tell you when it’s time to bid farewell to your trusty old toothbrush.
They include:
- Frayed bristles: When the outer tufts extend beyond the base of the toothbrush.
- Smelly bristles: If your toothbrush smells strange or contains dark spots, that could be mould; discard it immediately.
- Visible residues: Do you still see toothpaste, whitish clingy deposits, or food in the bristles after rinsing? Then it’s time to dump the toothbrush.
- Frequent gum bleeds despite an otherwise clean mouth or soon after dental scaling: This indicates that your toothbrush is worn out and is causing irritation rather than cleansing.
What about electric toothbrushes vs. manual toothbrushes – should one last longer than the other?
In a word no!
Contrary to what you think, electric toothbrushes don’t last longer than their manual counterparts. In fact, the constant circular and vibratory motion can wear them out faster. The good news is that modern electric toothbrushes come with colour-changing bristles, telling you exactly when to switch to a new brush head.
While these timelines are usually good, we need to also talk about times when you need to change your toothbrush more often.
Factors That May Require More Frequent Replacement of Toothbrushes
Keep a close eye on your toothbrush when:
You’ve experienced a recent episode of viral flu, gut issues or other illness
If you’ve had an infection, your toothbrush could be harbouring germs. It’s best to not risk reintroducing them into your system through the toothbrush. So, toss the old one and start afresh.
After teeth straightening with braces
Toothbrushes work overtime with braces, tooth attachments, etc. and get frayed within 1–2 months. So they need to be replaced more often.
Kids toothbrushes
Children may not always follow ideal brushing techniques, wearing them out faster. So keep a close eye on your child’s toothbrush and replace it when needed.
Now you know the answer to the question “How often should I change my toothbrush?” here are some top tips on how to get more mileage out of your existing brush.
Four Top Tips to Maintain Your Toothbrush
1. Hone your brushing technique
Don’t go full-throttle scrubbing teeth. Instead, follow the dentist-recommended ‘bass technique’ – use light, circular, vibratory strokes to clean your upper and lower teeth. This method saves the bristles from excess pressure and preserves their elasticity, structure, and shape.
2. Wash your brush
Remember to clean the toothbrush after use under running water; don’t forcefully run your fingers between bristles while rinsing them. You can also use commercially available toothbrush sanitisers as advised by your dental hygienist.
3. Storage
Toothbrushes are best stored upright, in open brush holders—this air-dries them and prevents bacterial growth. As we pointed out earlier, there are some pretty nasty things lurking in your bathroom, so, if possible, store them outside the toilet to save them from airborne germs.
4. Don’t share toothbrushes
This one is a no-brainer as sharing toothbrushes can lead to the spread of bacteria and diseases. To maintain the best oral health, your toothbrush is one thing you need to keep for yourself.
5. Protect them while travelling
Covers are ideal for travel, but make sure you buy the ones that allow good airflow to prevent fungal growth.
Key Takeaway
Some of our earliest memories include brushing times with Mum, cute cartoon-printed toothbrushes, and more. In fact, learning how to brush teeth properly is all part of a child’s journey.
Being able to answer the question “How often should I change my toothbrush?” is a small but mighty step towards maintaining good oral hygiene. So, If you are still here… take a minute to check yours. Is it looking a bit tired and jaded? Investing in a new toothbrush could be the key to maintaining a healthy smile for many years to come.
For more info, feel free to check out my Dental Dale blog. It’s packed full of tips, tricks and general info to keep your oral health in check.
Alternatively, if you have a dental practice or dental-related business and need a hand with ongoing content, give me a shout! I’d love to talk to you about how I can help!