Hi my name is Jen and I am a too hard toothbrusher. I know because my toothbrush looks like the one on the left below. Might go along with my Type A personality, but I recently got a wake up call when visiting the pediatric dentist with my little one about the effects of too hard brushing and how often you should replace your toothbrush.
I really never truly knew that answer so I asked him, “How often should you replace your toothbrush?” because come to think of it, I don’t really keep track of how long I use the same one. I just replace when the bristles are all smashed down. Not good. Don’t recommend.
The answer was interesting as was this super cook trick he shared with me to help me know when it was time to replace a toothbrush, both of which I am going to share with you today.
How Often Should You Replace a Toothbrush?
The answer to how often should you replace your toothbrush is about 3 months, or between every 3 to 4 months.
That is with two exceptions, one you should replace your toothbrush after you are sick, and two, if you are brushing too hard and your bristles start to fray out and become smashed, you should replace it.
See the green brush above?
That’s my real old toothbrush. I brush WAY too hard, and I know it because my husband’s toothbrush never looks like that.
The dentist told me when you brush that hard you are actually doing harm to your gums and not getting an effective brushing because the smashed/frayed bristles are not getting on the surface of the teeth properly.
Okay, time to lighten up, in more ways than one.
Put a Sharpie Date on Your New Toothbrush!
He then told me to put the date on my toothbrush (or my girls’ toothbrushes) when we pull out a new toothbrush so you can track how long you have had it. Regardless of wear, you should replace every 3 – 4 months, and you should be brushing properly (not too hard) so that AFTER 3 months the bristles are still standing upright.
Lesson learned.
Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed this lesson in dental hygiene! Any other tips/tricks to share? Comment below!
Great idea with dating your toothbrush! I have a hard time remembering, too…
I replace my toothbrush on the solstices and equinoxes. It’s how I remember anything that needs doing every 3 months (replacing mascara; washing the heater filter; etc.)
So clever!!!!!
So smart and easy! Thanks!
Great idea about the sharpie, easy to do! BTW, I am a too hard toothbrusher too and trying to retrain my girls so they don’t get receding gums. My DDS recommended a Rotadent electric for me to be kinder to my gums….it’s really helping.
My dentist told me the same! Might have to make that transition!