Most people are aware of the fact that toothbrushes don’t last forever. They need to be replaced often. However, people are not sure exactly when to change their toothbrushes. If you are among them and you want to figure out how long does a toothbrush last and when you should replace it, then read on.

What Do the Guidelines Say?

According to manufacturer guidelines, a toothbrush should be replaced every 12 or 16 weeks. Sometimes, you might need to replace it sooner than that. If you don’t replace the toothbrush according to the requirements, you might harm your dental health or hygiene. You might also be a victim of dental infection.

How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?

It would help if you realized that your toothbrush is critical for your dental hygiene. It is the first line of defense against bacteria that can cause many dental issues like bad breath, gum disease, or tooth decay.

Brushing your teeth twice a day will help you protect your teeth from cavities. It will be a better defense if you brush your teeth between each meal or after every sugary snack.

When you brush your teeth two times a day for two minutes, the bristles in your brush will likely become twisted or start to fall out in three months. Even the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) also thinks that you should replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months or when you see visible signs that a toothbrush is worn out.

A key sign that you need to replace your toothbrush is that the bristles in your toothbrush will begin to lose their stiffness. When your toothbrush bristles are not stiff, they will not be brushing aside plaque or food particles, so brushing your teeth won’t be very effective.

Situations in Which You Need to Change Your Toothbrush

It would be best if you changed your toothbrush in the following circumstances:

You or a family member has been sick. In such situations, everyone in the family should replace their toothbrush as viral or bacterial infections can reoccur due to old toothbrushes.

Change your kids’ toothbrushes if they mash on a toothbrush head or gnaw the handle.

Stay with your kids when they are using a toothbrush to ensure your kids don’t expose the brush head to any other surface than their teeth.

Everyone’s mouth harbors different bacteria. So, if someone has used your toothbrush by mistake, you need to change it ASAP.

Ensure You Have the Perfect Oral Health

In addition to knowing how long does a toothbrush last and when you should replace it, you should also take care of your oral health by trusting Dr. Rudy and his products. Dr. Rudy Saldamando has created a truly revolutionary oral care system. His Dr. Rudy Products line will help reduce gingivitis, tooth decay, and bad breath while whitening teeth and strengthening tooth enamel. For over 40 years, his practice has included celebrities, CEOs, health care experts, and heads of state who travel thousands of miles for his personal care and treatment. Dr. Saldamando studied genetics and biology and graduated from Loyola University. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Southern California.

Dr. Rudy has completed several health care missions in Gabon, West Africa, and has lectured internationally. He extensively uses Dr. Rudy Products in his daily practice and emphasizes educating his patients on healthy choices in oral care. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Los Angeles Dental Society and is one of the founding board members of the Los Angeles chapter of the Hispanic Dental Association. Contact us here or call directly on 310-550-0800.

Reference:

https://www.healthline.com/health/how-often-should-you-change-your-toothbrush#takeaway