Holiday shopping is upon us! In the excitement and spirit of the season, it is always beneficial to remember practical gifts can be as welcome and valuable as fun ones! The holidays are a fantastic opportunity to replenish, upgrade, or replace some everyday items for your friends and loved ones that they may otherwise overlook — like their toothbrushes! It may seem like a simple gesture, but gifting a new toothbrush to someone is guaranteed to prove useful. Most people do not change their toothbrushes as often as they should — here is an eye-opening overview on that subject!
When was the last time you changed your toothbrush? If you can’t recall, then you may need to throw “old reliable” away today.
Oral hygiene is so much more important than most people realize, says Dr. Michelle Kelman, lecturer at UCLA School of Dentistry and an advisor at Flossy.com.
“You have to remember that oral medicine is a part of medicine, and that’s something that’s forgotten. Dentistry tends to be treated like that thing on the side,” Kelman tells CNBC Make It.
In severe cases, not taking care of your teeth can lead to serious health conditions like heart disease and diabetes, she notes.
And though changing your toothbrush isn’t the biggest puzzle piece for stellar oral health, there can be consequences for keeping the same toothbrush for too long.
Here’s everything you need to know about when you should swap out your toothbrush and why. Plus, other oral hygiene tips from Kelman.
How often should you replace your toothbrush?
You should replace your toothbrush at least every three months, according to Kelman. But for some, especially people who brush their teeth a bit aggressively, you’ll need a new one even sooner, she adds.
“When in doubt, you need to look at the bristles,” says Kelman. If the bristles are frayed, it’s time for a new toothbrush, she says.
It’s also important for your health and the health of the people you live with to get a new toothbrush after recovering from a sickness like a cold or the flu, Kelman notes.
Here’s what can happen if you don’t switch out your toothbrush often enough
Using a toothbrush with frayed bristles can have multiple consequences, including:
- Not thoroughly cleaning your teeth
- Leaving plaque behind
- Allowing germs to build up and spread within your mouth
“If [toothbrushes are] not in that significant shape, they’re going to lose their effectiveness,” says Kelman.
And the teeth cleaners are in their best shape when they’re brand new, and in their worst condition when their bristles are frayed, she says.
Here’s what else you should be doing for your teeth
Now that you’ve thrown away your old toothbrush, there are some other oral hygiene tips that Kelman would like you to practice:
- Flossing your teeth before you brush them
- Letting your toothbrush air-dry before putting it in a closed container to prevent bacteria build-up
- Flossing your teeth at least once a day, preferably after every meal
- Getting your teeth cleaned every three months if you can
“Without [good] oral health, you are really compromising your lifestyle,” Kelman says.
What is better than daily brushing and replacing toothbrushes? A regular visit to Oceanside Dental so we can help you and your family maintain excellent oral health! We are here for you — Call us at (760) 721-8888, or find us on Facebook!
Ref [https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/02/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush.html]
