Dentist Aurora


Brushing your teeth is one of the most important ways you maintain your oral health. However, if you’re brushing your teeth with an old or dirty toothbrush, you might be doing more harm than good. Answer the following five questions to see if it is time to swap out your toothbrush for a new one!

1. Is your toothbrush over three months old?

It is important that you replace your toothbrush every so often—every 3-4 months to be exact. Your toothbrush becomes less effective after around three months because the bristles begin to wear down. Also, bacteria tend to build up on your toothbrush over time as well. Therefore, to stay in good health and ensure you’re brushing successfully, it is important to replace your toothbrush after three months of use.

2. How are the bristles looking?

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t keep a running record of the last time you bought a new toothbrush. That’s okay! There are easy ways to tell if a toothbrush is ready to be replaced. Simply check out the bristles on your toothbrush. Do they look worn down or frayed? Damaged bristles aren’t going to do the best job of cleaning your teeth. Therefore, if they’re looking run-down, it is probably time for a new one.

3. Have you been sick?

While your toothbrush is used to clean your teeth, it is not necessarily immune to the accumulation of bacteria. If you’ve been sick with the flu or a cold, those germs can linger around on your toothbrush. While reinfection is improbable (unless you have an immune deficiency) it is always a good idea to swap out your toothbrush after dealing with an illness.

4. Have you traveled a lot lately?

Have you visited another country recently? More importantly, have you visited a new place where the water is not safe to drink? If so, it is likely time for a new toothbrush. Ideally, it is best practice to brush your teeth with bottled water in countries where the water isn’t completely safe to drink. However, sometimes we forget and accidentally run the toothbrush under the sink. If this happens, it is best to swap out your toothbrush to avoid getting sick.

5. Do you store your toothbrush correctly?

When storing your toothbrush, you want to ensure you leave it in a place that is clean, dry, and allows airflow. Therefore, you shouldn’t be keeping your toothbrush near the toilet or in the shower, and you should not store it in an airtight case. Otherwise, your toothbrush could become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Instead, it is best to hang the toothbrush in an upright position so it can dry out between brushings.

Would you like to check in on your oral health? No problem! Call Aurora Dental Group today to schedule your appointment.