If you brush your teeth twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist for preventive dentistry appointments every six months, you’re already doing a lot to keep your smile healthy, but if you’re not using the right oral hygiene products, you still may not be doing enough to keep your smile, and whole body, healthy. The American Dental Association recommends changing toothbrushes at least once every three months to ensure the toothbrush works well and you avoid unnecessary damage to your smile. In this blog, we discuss the top five reasons it’s important to get a new toothbrush regularly.
1 – Reduce Risk for Bacterial Infection
The healthy oral bacteria that live in our mouths and help with the digestion of food can damage our teeth and gums if they’re not removed regularly through tooth brushing and flossing. Unfortunately, brushing leaves these bacteria in the bristles of our toothbrushes where they can multiply. To ensure your toothbrush can affectively remove oral bacteria, make sure you’re rinsing the bristles thoroughly after each use and exchanging toothbrushes at least every three months.
2 – Worn Toothbrushes Aren’t as Affective
A brand new toothbrush, or replacement head for electric toothbrushes, are flawlessly engineered to remove bacteria and plaque buildup on teeth. After months of daily use, the bristles of your toothbrush will wear out and warp, becoming less affective at removing foreign matter from tooth enamel.
3 – Worn Bristles Can Damage Tooth Enamel & Gum Tissue
In addition to not being as helpful, worn bristles can actually be harmful. You may not be able to see it, but the tips of toothbrush bristles are designed to glide across the surfaces of the mouth without causing unnecessary wear or damage. When toothbrushes get worn down, they can be more abrasive, increasing the risk of damaging soft tissue and causing excess enamel erosion.
4 – Prevent Reinfection After You’ve Been Sick
Bacteria and viruses that cause illnesses like strep throat, the flu, and the cold can live on our toothbrush, so if you’ve been sick, you should get a new toothbrush. Using the same toothbrush after you’ve been sick can increase your risk for reinfection.
5 – Avoid Exposure to Fungus, Mold & Microorganisms
In addition to oral bacteria, old toothbrushes also contain larger amounts of fungus, mold, and microorganisms that can negatively impact your oral health, but just as importantly, these foreign organisms can impact your overall health. To keep your toothbrush free of fungus, mold, and microorganisms, make sure you’re storing it standing, uncovered, with the bristles up. Do not store your toothbrush in the shower or in a travel case. These high moisture environments make it easy for the unwanted microorganisms to flourish.
Meet the McCarl Dental Group
In Greenbelt, MD, the McCarl name means excellent dental care. For generations, our family has offered exceptional, patient-centered dentistry services using state-of-the-art techniques and technologies to ensure our patients’ smiles remain whole, healthy, and beautiful at every stage of life. Our dentists have the skill, knowledge, and advanced training necessary to offer a range of dental solutions in the comfort of our familiar, family-friendly dental office. If you’re interested in scheduling your six month dental checkup and teeth cleaning, we’d love to hear from you.