{"id":7623,"date":"2022-06-15T19:28:22","date_gmt":"2022-06-16T01:28:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/simpli.dental\/?p=7623"},"modified":"2023-04-10T18:06:12","modified_gmt":"2023-04-10T18:06:12","slug":"how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The CDA (Canadian Dental Association) recommends that you replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head, when using an electric toothbrush) every three to four months for optimal usage, as long as you use it at least twice daily. Over time, as toothbrushes go through normal wear and tear, they become less effective with removing plaque from your teeth and gums. Every time you use your toothbrush, the nylon bristles are exposed to water and chemicals from your toothpaste. This makes the bristles a little weaker with each use. The bristles bend and twist into a new shape, which is known as \u201cbristle flaring.\u201d [1<\/a>] In fact, a 2013 study [2<\/a>] showed that after just 40 days of consistent use, bristle flaring starts to make your toothbrush less effective. Study participants who didn\u2019t replace their toothbrushes on day 40 of use experienced considerably more plaque buildup, and at least two earlier studies on worn toothbrush heads confirmed that older toothbrushes are much less efficient at removing plaque, which is a major contributor to gum disease and tooth decay. Studies have found that around 3 months is when the bristles break down and lose effectiveness. [3<\/a>]<\/p>\n

One of the reasons for this is because germs can hide and build up in toothbrush bristles, which also makes it important that you replace your toothbrush after you\u2019ve had a cold, particularly an upper respiratory sickness or strep throat, or you can risk possible reinfection. If you keep your toothbrush in your bathroom, it\u2019s a good idea to have a cap or cover or your brush as toothbrushes can become contaminated with fecal matter. Another good idea is to keep your brush in the bathroom cupboard so it is safe from contamination.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Canadian Dental Association also recommends that you rinse your toothbrush under warm tap water after brushing your teeth to wash away lingering saliva and toothpaste. They also recommend to store the toothbrush in an upright position, as this will help the bristles air dry between uses. For this reason, it\u2019s also important to use a toothbrush cover when traveling to protect it and reduce the spread of germs.<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t remember how long it\u2019s been since you\u2019ve replaced your toothbrush or toothbrush head, take a look at the bristles. Are they frayed? Do they fan out? Do they look worn? If you see dark colors or green specks on the bristles, this could also be a sign of mold growing on your brush, which definitely means it should be replaced right away.<\/p>\n

Writing in your calendar or making a note in your phone is a great way to keep track of when you last replaced your toothbrush and when you\u2019re due for a new one. Being diligent about replacing your brush or brush head every 3-4 months can potentially save you time, money, and work that needs to go towards dental work in the future.<\/p>\n

Book an appointment with Simpli Dental today to discuss your toothbrush concerns with a knowledgeable Simpli dentist!<\/p>\n

Citations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

[1]\u00a0Healthline – How Long Does a Toothbrush Last and When Should I Replace It?\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

[2] National Library of Medicine – Is Plaque Removal Efficacy of Toothbrush Related to Bristle Flaring? A 3-Month Prospective Parallel Experimental Study\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

[3]\u00a0 Taunton Dental Village – How Often To Replace Your Toothbrush (Backed By Science)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The CDA (Canadian Dental Association) recommends that you replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head, when using an electric toothbrush) every three to four months for optimal usage, as long as you use it at least twice daily. Over time, as toothbrushes go through normal wear and tear, they become less effective with removing plaque from…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":8039,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[25],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush? - Simpli Dental - Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush? - Simpli Dental - Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"The CDA (Canadian Dental Association) recommends that you replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head, when using an electric toothbrush) every three to four months for optimal usage, as long as you use it at least twice daily. Over time, as toothbrushes go through normal wear and tear, they become less effective with removing plaque from…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Simpli Dental - Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-06-16T01:28:22+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-04-10T18:06:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/06\/pexels-cottonbro-3737592-scaled-e1655343100582.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1699\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1152\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"marshdigital02@gmail.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"marshdigital02@gmail.com\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/\",\"name\":\"How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush? - Simpli Dental - Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-06-16T01:28:22+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-04-10T18:06:12+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d97d9cdd48832550510b983bdbea9aa3\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Simpli Dental - Blog\",\"description\":\"Book an appointment online today.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d97d9cdd48832550510b983bdbea9aa3\",\"name\":\"marshdigital02@gmail.com\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/05fb266f1e0ab461707e2a9861045ef2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/05fb266f1e0ab461707e2a9861045ef2?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"marshdigital02@gmail.com\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/author\/shayemarshdigital-ca\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush? - Simpli Dental - Blog","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush? - Simpli Dental - Blog","og_description":"The CDA (Canadian Dental Association) recommends that you replace your toothbrush (or toothbrush head, when using an electric toothbrush) every three to four months for optimal usage, as long as you use it at least twice daily. Over time, as toothbrushes go through normal wear and tear, they become less effective with removing plaque from…","og_url":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/","og_site_name":"Simpli Dental - Blog","article_published_time":"2022-06-16T01:28:22+00:00","article_modified_time":"2023-04-10T18:06:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1699,"height":1152,"url":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/06\/pexels-cottonbro-3737592-scaled-e1655343100582.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"marshdigital02@gmail.com","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"marshdigital02@gmail.com","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/","url":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/","name":"How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush? - Simpli Dental - Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/#website"},"datePublished":"2022-06-16T01:28:22+00:00","dateModified":"2023-04-10T18:06:12+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d97d9cdd48832550510b983bdbea9aa3"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/how-often-should-you-replace-your-toothbrush\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/","name":"Simpli Dental - Blog","description":"Book an appointment online today.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d97d9cdd48832550510b983bdbea9aa3","name":"marshdigital02@gmail.com","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/05fb266f1e0ab461707e2a9861045ef2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/05fb266f1e0ab461707e2a9861045ef2?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"marshdigital02@gmail.com"},"url":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/author\/shayemarshdigital-ca\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7623"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7623"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7623\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8041,"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7623\/revisions\/8041"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8039"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7623"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7623"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/simpli.dental\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7623"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}