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How Often Should I Replace My Toothbrush?

Dr Alex Silman • Jul 26, 2020

How often do you replace your toothbrush? If you’ve been using the same tool to brush your teeth for several months, it’s probably time for a change. Swapping out your old toothbrush with a new one regularly can prevent you from getting sick and ensure that you’re getting the most out of your brushing sessions. But how frequently should you replace your toothbrush?

Toothbrush Replacement Times

Toothbrush manufacturers and dentists recommend that you replace your toothbrush every three to four months. You should stick to those guidelines if you brush for two minutes, twice a day, as dental professionals recommend.

One of the reasons that you should throw out your toothbrush after this length of time is that the bristles lose their cleaning ability. They may fall out or change shape. Once the bristles become splayed, they won’t maintain their performance. Frayed bristles don’t reach the spots between the teeth and along the gum line effectively.

Germs can also hang out on a toothbrush. While viruses are less likely to make you sick a second time, bacteria can hang out on the bristles. Those germs can transfer to the toothpaste tube when you load up, making other people in the household sick if you share toothpaste.

When to Replace Your Toothbrush More Frequently

In some cases, you might want to replace your toothbrush more frequently than every 12 to 16 weeks. Some people choose to be extra vigilant about brushing. They may use their toothbrush after each meal or scrub their teeth after eating a sugary snack. If you brush your teeth more than twice a day, your toothbrush can deteriorate more rapidly.

Electric toothbrush heads may have specific instructions for replacement. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacing an electric toothbrush.

You might be tempted to squeeze the most life out of your electric toothbrush. The heads tend to be more expensive than disposable options. However, the tool won’t work efficiently if you don’t replace it within the recommended time frame.

Electric toothbrushes vibrate or rotate rapidly. The friction can wear away the nylon bristles. Moreover, the bristles on an electric toothbrush are typically shorter than those on a disposable toothbrush. Therefore, you might see signs of wear and tear before the three month deadline.

You should also think about throwing away everyone in the family’s toothbrush if someone in the household is sick. You’re not likely to reinfect yourself by using the same toothbrush that you had when you were dealing with a cold or another virus. Most people develop antibodies to an illness, making it less likely that they’ll come down with the same sickness immediately after contracting it initially.

But cold and flu germs can survive on a toothbrush for up to three days. If you keep your toothbrush in a cup next to the rest of the family’s toothbrushes, you can pass germs along.

Also, bacteria can remain on a toothbrush longer than a virus can. Strep throat is one illness that’s caused by bacteria. You typically reduce your risk of passing the illness on once you have been on antibiotics for 24 hours. But the bacteria on your toothbrush could linger. If you have strep throat or another bacterial infection, get rid of your toothbrush so that you don’t reinfect yourself after you’ve completed a course of antibiotics.

How to Know When It’s Time to Toss Your Toothbrush

If you take a look at your toothbrush every time you use it, you’ll notice when it begins to deteriorate. Keep your eye on the bristles. They should be soft but springy and resilient. They must be sturdy enough to sweep away food particles and plaque.

Once the bristles stop bouncing back to their original shape, the toothbrush is on its way out. If the bristles are no longer straight and stiff, toss that toothbrush.

You should also check for cleanliness. If you don’t rinse your toothbrush properly, toothpaste residue can build up at the base of the bristles or along the handle. This gunk can trap bacteria and make you sick. If your toothbrush isn’t looking as fresh as it once was, replace it.

The Proper Way to Store a Toothbrush

You should store your toothbrush away from other people’s. Don’t throw everyone in the family’s toothbrush together. When you travel, use separate cases or baggies to contain your family members’ dental hygiene tools. Doing this will prevent microbe transfer. If someone gets sick, you won’t have to worry that the germs from their toothbrush rubbed off on yours.

Keeping your toothbrush away from the toilet is also probably a good idea. Fine particles of toilet water spray out of the bowl every time you flush. Fecal coliforms can end up on the bristles. If you live in a shared bathroom, it’s especially important to keep your toothbrush away from the toilet.

Get in the habit of closing the lid on the toilet too. Doing so can prevent excess spray from landing on your dental hygiene items in the bathroom.

Rinse your toothbrush after every use. This will get rid of the gunk that can attract bacteria as well as some of the microbes themselves. Allow your toothbrush to air dry. Keeping it in a moist environment promotes the growth of germs and mildew.

Sharing toothbrushes with other people can make you sick if they have a virus or bacterial infection. If you’re in a pinch and must share a toothbrush, try to let it dry in between users. Still, sharing toothbrushes is not a recommended practice.

Toothbrushes are relatively inexpensive, and you should be purchasing at least one in between dental visits. You will get a free toothbrush every time you go to the dentist for a routine cleaning, but that usually happens only every six months. You’ll need to swap out your brush at least once in between.

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