When should I replace my toothbrush?
When toothbrushes begin to age, the bristles fray, their effectiveness decreases, they smell, become discolored, and become more of a hazard to brush with. To keep your toothbrush’s bristles clean and at their best, replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
What type of toothbrush should I buy?
Bristle Strength
Soft bristled toothbrushes do a great job scrubbing plaque off of your teeth. Hard bristles to medium-soft bristles can sometimes be too rough on your gums and enamel depending on how hard you scrub your teeth. If your toothbrush is constantly making your gums bleed over the course of a week, switch to a lighter bristle. You don’t want to introduce the germs and bacteria in your mouth to your bloodstream.
Non-electric
Manual toothbrushes are excellent choices, especially on-the-go. They’re cheap, easy to replace, and come in a variety of styles and colors. While they don’t have all of the features on electric toothbrushes, they’ll still prevent gum disease and keep your teeth clean.
Electric
Electric toothbrushes are fantastic. They have timers to help you stay focused when brushing, are easier to use if you have carpal tunnel or other disabilities immobilizing your wrists, and they effectively scrub your gums and teeth. They’re expensive, but last several years. Toothbrush heads can be expensive, but you’ll only need to change them once every few months.
Schedule an Appointment
If you have any questions about choosing a toothbrush or in case you’re wondering how your brushing efforts are going, please feel free to schedule an appointment! With a quick exam, we’ll be able to tell whether or not your toothbrush is performing as it needs to. We can also recommend specific brands and brushes too! We hope to see you soon.
