How Long Can You Use a Toothbrush?

How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

Have you replaced your child’s toothbrush lately? At Bay Area Kids Dentist we recommend a new toothbrush every three months (that goes for kids and grownups, alike).

 

Too many people wait too long to get a new toothbrush, and that can be bad for dental health. It’s one of the reasons why most dentists hand out free ones at every checkup.

 

Of course, you don’t need to mark your calendar or set up a reminder on your smartphone. How often you replace your child’s toothbrush (or yours) depends on how often it gets used. We recommend, strongly, that children brush their teeth at least twice a day. (When they’re still little, of course, it’s up to you to do it for them.)

 

Why So Often?

A toothbrush can become familiar, like a comfy pair of shoes. Sometimes the idea of tossing out the old one and replacing it isn’t very appealing. A youngster may get attached to a toothbrush if it has a favorite cartoon character on the handle. Fortunately, it’s easy to find an identical, but new, replacement.

 

After about three months of use, toothbrush bristles are getting bent and frayed. There is probably some gunk – dried toothpaste foam – starting to build up, too. Yuk. So toss that old brush, and get a fresh one!

 

What kind of brush should you be using? There are so many choices. The most important thing is to choose a brush with soft bristles. They are gentle on the gums, but still effective in brushing away plaque.

 

At Bay Area Kids Dentist we want all our young patients to enjoy good dental health: now, and for a lifetime!  Our early dental care maintains healthy teeth and identifies any problems before they get serious. We specialize in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, and have offices in Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, and Morgan Hill. Schedule your child’s next checkup with us today!