5 SIGNS IT’S TIME TO CHANGE YOUR TOOTHBRUSH!

The American Dental Association recommends that your toothbrush be changed every 3-4 months. This includes both manual toothbrushes and electric toothbrush heads. Here are some tips to help determine if it’s time for a new toothbrush:

BRISTLES:  Do the bristles on your toothbrush look flat? Are they bent or crooked? Do the bristles fall out? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it is time to replace your toothbrush.

DEBRIS: If there is any debris or dirt at the bottom of the bristles that cannot be removed with rinsing, it is time to throw it out and purchase a new toothbrush.

HAVE YOU BEEN SICK RECENTLY?: If you are sick right now, or have been sick recently it is a good idea to replace your toothbrush. This is to prevent re-infecting yourself with the bacteria that is remaining on your toothbrush.

TOUCHING ANOTHER TOOTHBRUSH: Does your toothbrush touch somebody else’s? If so, you could be swapping bacteria. Keep toothbrushes separate.

PROPER STORAGE: Toothbrushes need to be able to breathe to allow the bacteria to die. It is important not to store your toothbrush in a container.