Your toothbrush is perhaps your most important weapon in the battle against tooth decay and gum disease — so you need to keep it in good condition. Yet even if you take perfect care of your toothbrush, it won’t last forever. And the longer you use it, the less effective it gets, so replacing it regularly is essential to maintaining your oral health.
The question is how often. It depends somewhat on the type of brush you have and how well you maintain it, but there are some general guidelines everyone should follow. Here’s everything you need to know about replacing your toothbrush.
Table of Contents
Why Should I Replace My Toothbrush?
Regular brushing removes plaque and food particles, which contain bacteria and can cause tartar buildup, cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral health concerns. But brushing is much less effective if your toothbrush is past its prime.
A few months of daily brushing can fray, bend, and otherwise damage a toothbrush’s bristles—making them less effective. You’ll still remove some plaque each time you brush, but worn out bristles will inevitably leave some behind. Let that go on too long and you’ll be more susceptible to cavities and other issues.
When Should I Replace My Toothbrush?
The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush every 3–4 months. But depending on your brushing habits, it might wear out faster, so it’s better to look for these signs that you need a replacement.
Frayed Bristles
Look at your toothbrush’s bristles. Are they nice, straight, and uniform? Or are they haphazard and bent in different directions? If it’s the latter, you’ll need to replace your brush. Bristles bending over is called “bristle flaring,” and it makes your toothbrush much less effective. Flared bristles are weaker, and unable to reach all the places they once could, so they won’t clean your teeth nearly as well.
Your Teeth Don’t Feel Clean
At the end of a long day, you might feel like your teeth have a sticky or slimy film on them. That’s plaque. But when you finish brushing, your teeth should feel smooth, fresh, and clean. If you notice that same stickiness or texture on your teeth right after brushing, it might be time for a new toothbrush.
A Bad Smell
If your toothbrush doesn’t completely dry between sessions—or if it harbors food particles and bacteria—you might notice that it smells weird. There are a few causes, but no matter how it happened, you don’t want to reintroduce that bacteria to your mouth.
If your brush’s bristles look good, you can disinfect it with something like antiseptic mouthwash or a hydrogen peroxide solution and keep using it. But if your bristles are frayed, or you’d rather just be 100% safe, get a replacement.
Recent Illnesses
The same way that toothbrushes can harbor bacteria, they can pick up germs from illnesses. If you continue using your toothbrush after you’ve been sick, you might put those germs right back in your mouth. That doesn’t mean you’ll always reinfect yourself, but you probably don’t want to take the chance. It’s best to replace your brush or electric toothbrush head.
Sharing Your Toothbrush
Lending your toothbrush to your partner who forgot theirs might seem like a caring thing to do, but it can be a detriment to your oral health. We all have unique mixes of bacteria in our mouths, and when you use the same toothbrush as someone else, you’re taking their bacteria and scrubbing it onto your teeth.
Not all bacteria is bad, so that might not be a problem, but it’s also a good way to contract illnesses. If someone else uses your brush, either purposefully or by accident, get a new one.
How to Make Your Toothbrush Last
No matter how perfectly you care for your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head, you’ll still need to replace it every 3–4 months. But if you treat it well, you can ensure that it doesn’t wear out prematurely or harbor excess bacteria.
First, make sure you’re brushing the right way. Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle to your teeth and move it back and forth in short strokes over the outer, inner, and chewing surfaces. One of the most important things for toothbrush longevity is to brush gently. Brushing too hard doesn’t just wear out bristles faster; it can also wear down your enamel.
You’ll also need to ensure your brush doesn’t pick up bacteria between brushing sessions, so proper storage is key. Keep it upright in a toothbrush holder, out in the open air so it can dry completely. Don’t put it in a drawer, cabinet, or closed container, since it will stay damp, allowing bacteria to survive. You also shouldn’t keep it right next to the toilet, if possible. When you flush the toilet, it sends microscopic particles into the air, which can settle on your brush.
If you thoroughly rinse your toothbrush in hot water after each use, then let it dry completely, most bacteria won’t survive. But if you want to take additional measures, you can give it a few-minute (no longer than 15) soak in mouthwash or a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution. You can also use denture cleansers or UV sanitizers. However, you should never put your brush in the dishwasher or microwave.
Choosing the Right Toothbrush
Walk the dental hygiene aisle at your local pharmacy and you’ll face a wall of different toothbrushes. The good news is that they can all be effective with proper maintenance and brushing habits. But your mouth is unique, so you also want to find an ideal fit.
Most importantly, look for a brush head that’s the right size for your mouth. Then, you’ll have a choice of bristle firmness. You might be tempted to get a hard-bristled brush to make it last longer, but dentists actually recommend soft bristles for most people, since hard bristles can wear down your enamel. Ask your dentist if you’re unsure, but otherwise, go for soft bristles.
Some studies have shown that electric toothbrushes remove plaque better than manual ones. However, manual brushes are still effective if you use them the right way. Plus, they’re a lot cheaper. If you get an electric brush with removable heads, follow the same maintenance and replacements guidelines as you would for any other brush.
Final Thoughts
If you want to keep your teeth as clean and healthy as possible, a consistent brushing routine is essential. But even consistent brushing can be ineffective if you don’t replace your toothbrush often enough. So be sure to switch yours out every 3–4 months. It might be another thing to remember, but it can save you from frustrating and expensive oral health issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average lifespan of a toothbrush?
Around 3–4 months, so that’s how often you should typically replace them. However, if you don’t care for it, use it, or store it properly, yours might not last that long.
What happens if you don’t replace your toothbrush?
If you don’t replace your toothbrush often enough (or at all), its bristles will fray and lose their effectiveness. That leaves more plaque and food particles on your teeth, which can cause things like decay, gingivitis, and bad breath.
How do I know if I need a new toothbrush?
Look for damaged or frayed bristles, a bad smell, or an unclean feeling on your teeth after brushing as signs that you need a new brush. You should also replace your toothbrush after being sick, or if you let someone else use it.
Should I get a manual or electric toothbrush?
Some studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque, but they’re also more expensive, and both do the job well if you use them properly. The most important thing is to choose a brush that you feel comfortable using, fits your teeth well, and works with your budget. If you’re having trouble deciding, ask your dentist for a recommendation.
Should I get a soft, medium, or hard-bristled toothbrush?
Dental professionals recommend soft-bristled toothbrushes for most people. Medium and hard bristles are great for removing plaque and food particles, but they can also harm the enamel or gums, especially if you brush too hard. Soft bristles still give you an excellent clean, without the added risk. Ask your dentist if you’re unsure which is the best option for you.
Can you brush too hard?
Yes! Brushing aggressively might feel like the only way to effectively clean your teeth, but it can actually wear away your enamel over time, leaving you more prone to tooth decay and gum recession. If you notice tooth sensitivity, receding gums, or severe toothbrush wear, you might need to brush gentler.
How can I make my toothbrush last longer?
Brushing gently, thoroughly rinsing your brush after using it, and storing it upright in an open container will keep your bristles clean and strong. However, you should still replace your toothbrush or electric toothbrush head every 3–4 months.
Join The Discussion: