How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush?
Did you know that your toothbrush is a power player in your health? That’s right!
A good soft bristled toothbrush, used 2-times a day for 2 minutes, will eliminate debris, food and reduce plaque buildup. For the vast majority of people, a soft-bristled toothbrush will be the most comfortable and safest choice. Depending on how vigorously you brush your teeth and the strength of your teeth, medium- and hard-bristled brushes could actually damage the gums, root surface, and protective tooth enamel.
Without a good tooth brushing routine, you can increase the bad bacteria in your mouth. Bad bacteria can erode teeth, contribute to gum disease, cause bad breath and contribute to the inflammation cascade of disease in the rest of the body.
The simple way to keep your bacteria in check and your mouth happy is to change your toothbrush every 3 months. If you have gum disease, you should change it more frequently due to the breakdown and the buildup of harmful bacteria. This same rule applies if you have been sick when more bad bacteria can be present.
Here are a few more great ways to promote good bacteria in your mouth:
- Add more prebiotic fiber to your diet. Include foods like: garlic, onions, asparagus and bananas.
- Eat fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut.
- Brush and floss each day.
Another equally important reason to change that brush out regularly is the damage to the gumline areas of the teeth by abrading and damaging the surface caused by worn out bristles.
Next time you come into visit us here at Elliott Dental, we’ll have a new toothbrush waiting just for you.
