How often to change out your toothbrush: General Health

tammy · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

The toothbrush is a valuable tool used to clean your teeth. I was wondering how often a person should change out their toothbrush so I did some reading online.

I found a general census that toothbrushes should be changed out every 3 months because by then they get worn out and are no longer effective in cleaner your teeth. If you have gum disease, however, I read that you should change your toothbrush every 4-6 weeks because bacteria can form in the bristles.

I also read some other interesting information relating to health and toothbrushes:

It is wise not to store your toothbrush out in the open in a bathroom (specifically ones that have the toilets next to the sink)
Do not store toothbrushes in closed containers
Stand them up and allow them to air-dry
Keep your toothbrush separate from other toothbrushes (germs can travel)
Rinse your toothbrush right after using it

Ziggy · **Site Rank:** Healthy BBF

I knew toothbrushes could get bacteria on them, ick... so gross. If you're in doubt about your toothbrush, but don't want to throw it away yet because it's not old enough to throw away, you can dip it in rubbing alcohol, and that will kill the germs, I think I read that somewhere. Then of course, rinse it under water before using it.

joebert · **Site Rank:** Moderator

I never bring my toothbrush with me when I travel, I always bring a pair of a new ones for the trip.

I can't really explain exactly how this works, but I kinda chew on the bristles of my brush after I brush my teeth every time, a good brush feels kinda, crispy when I chew it where as a brush that needs replacing is more like chewing on, thread I guess. :neutral:

tammy · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

When you travel and bring a new toothbrush, do you get rid of your old toothbrush and use that new one when you get back from you trip?

Quote:

I kinda chew on the bristles of my brush after I brush my teeth every time, a good brush feels kinda, crispy when I chew it where as a brush that needs replacing is more like chewing on, thread I guess.

That's an interesting way to determine if your toothbrush needs to be changed! How long do you think it usually takes until your toothbrush is like chewing on thread?

joebert · **Site Rank:** Moderator

tammy wrote:

When you travel and bring a new toothbrush, do you get rid of your old toothbrush and use that new one when you get back from you trip?

It depends on whether I forget the new one in a hotel room or someones bathroom.

tammy wrote:

How long do you think it usually takes until your toothbrush is like chewing on thread?

I dunno, I usually get brushes in packs of 2-3 and go through a pack or two a year I guess. Sometimes I use my toothbrush to clean something with tiny crevaces and end up using a new one quicker than usual.

I had an electric toothbrush for awhile that kinda rocked, but the head was kinda bulky so I never replaced the batteries when it died.

tammy · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

I have an electronic toothbrush, but I only use the electronic one at night. I use a regular toothbrush in the mornings. The electronic toothbrush I have charges on a stand type thing that plugs into the wall so I never have to worry about replacing any batteries. I have the Oral B Braun toothbrush seen in the picture below. I know people who swear by the Sonic toothbrush and say it is better than Oral B. I don't know though. I like my toothbrush.

I know there are some benefits as to using an electric toothbrush compared to a manual one.

You get a dentist like cleaning.
Electronic toothbrushes are good at removing stains.
Electronic toothbrushes are able to reach and remove bacteria better, which leads to better breath.
Removes plaque
Protects teeth and gums.

Ziggy · **Site Rank:** Healthy BBF

And I would say the downfalls of an electric toothbrush are that they are very expensive, and the replacement toothbrushes are even more expensive, so you tend to keep them longer, which isn't good. And then this makes them get more bacteria on them. So I really suggest the alcohol dipping routine.

If you have a cold or the flu and don't clean or replace your toothbrush, I wonder if that makes you stay sicker longer!?!?

joebert · **Site Rank:** Moderator

That thing looks like it should be called the "Wii Brush".
Anyone know how to write games for the Nintendo Wii ? :cap-smile:

Ziggy · **Site Rank:** Healthy BBF

joebert wrote:

Sometimes I use my toothbrush to clean something with tiny crevaces and end up using a new one quicker than usual.

Yeah, never throw away an old toothbrush, they are great cleaning tools. Well, eventually you will have to throw it away. But in the meantime, put them out in your garage in a tin can. So that means, don't throw away old tin cans, they can be used to store lots of small stuff in the garage.

tammy · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

joebert wrote:

That thing looks like it should be called the "Wii Brush".

Don't make fun of my toothbrush!

joebert · **Site Rank:** Moderator

tammy wrote:

joebert wrote:

That thing looks like it should be called the "Wii Brush".

Don't make fun of my toothbrush!

On the contrary, I should make fun or your toothbrush, or should I say make your toothbrush fun. I bet kids would brush their teeth more often if they could stick a Wii controller with bristles in their mouth and keep score in the form of how many strokes they've made or something.

tammy · **Site Rank:** Site Admin

I bet you are right! But that would be a quick game... you can't really brush your teeth longer than 2-3 minutes!

joebert · **Site Rank:** Moderator

A round of Street Fighter only lasts about 60 seconds.

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