We’ve all been told by a dentist that you have to replace your toothbrush every now and then in order to keep your teeth as clean as possible. But how often should you actually be tossing out your old brush and getting a new one?
Turns out the answer depends on what type of toothbrush you own.
For classic, manual toothbrushes, you should be getting a new one every three to four months, according to the American Dental Association. You may be able to stretch this to every six months if your toothbrush’s bristles are in good condition.
Definitely be sure to replace it at least every six months, though. And get rid of it sooner if you’ve recently been sick or the bristles are fraying or flared since worn-down toothbrushes are less effective at cleaning your teeth.
Electric toothbrushes are a different story.
Because of how fast they rotate, electric toothbrush bristles wear down faster and need to be replaced more often. It’s recommended that you change your electric toothbrush head every one to two months.
Regardless of the type of toothbrush you own, replacing it regularly is a small but important part of good dental hygiene. It’s one of the best ways to prevent any lingering germs from finding their way into your mouth– something we all want to avoid.
