How often should I change my toothbrush?

There are many factors that come in to play with the frequency of replacing your toothbrush or toothbrush head on your electronic toothbrush.

• The standard is that your toothbrush should be changed every 3-4 months to prevent bacteria from building up on the bristles of the brush. This recommendation comes from the American Dental Association (ADA).

• Some people will see their bristles fray which indicated extreme wear from either having the toothbrush too long or brushing too aggressively. When your toothbrush begins to fray, the bristles lose their effectiveness and leave plaque behind which ultimately can lead to gingivitis.

“If it starts to fray then throw it away!”

What can happen if I don’t change my toothbrush Dr. Ku?

"Not changing your toothbrush will only lead to the spread of bacteria. This includes gingivitis which can lead to gum disease.

In addition, the bacteria that remains on your toothbrush head could lead you to become sick due to accumulation of bacteria as well as, mold, and unpleasant particles in the air from leaving a toothbrush not stored properly in a bathroom area.”

”What type of toothbrush do you recommend?”

“For a majority of patients, an electronic toothbrush is unparalleled to a traditional toothbrush. We have some patients who are not fans of the electronic toothbrush when they first begin to use it so we recommend using a soft bristle toothbrush and alternating with the electronic brush until they are utilizing the electronic brush 2-3 times per day. We explain to the patients who are going through this process that an electronic toothbrush is the most ideal for overall dental health.”

Additional Tips:

-Storing your toothbrush in an upright position so that it is able to dry completely is ideal in assisting with longevity of the brush.

-When utilizing an electronic toothbrush, depending on the brand, you can be notified if you are brushing to hard and/or aggressive.