How Often Should You Change Your Toothbrush?

[HeatherNYC]

Even if the bristles are frayed, my kiddo has a hard time changing toothbrushes. Even if we get the same Hello Kitty pink one, she's has a rough time letting go...not sure why.

 But we have to change our toothbrushes, right? You betcha - according to the American Dental Association, we should do that every three months. I always thought it was because of the cleanliness factor, that germs would build up on the brush, but it is more the wear on the bristles. If you are a heavy brusher, your toothbrush may wear out faster than the usual three months.

Now, some dentists say to change your toothbrush if you have been sick, and if you have gum problems, you should change it out about every month or sic weeks. But for the most part, you can just look at your brush and know when it is time for a change.

How to tell when your kid's brush is ready to be changed - look at the direction of the bristles. If they are splayed out in different directions, then it is time to get a new one. Also, those indicators, the blue line now on most brushes, is also a good way to tell when it is time - when it starts to fade, start to look for a new brush.  

When was the last time you changed your toothrbush?

©iStockphoto.com/ t3000 

 

[nngmommy83]

I change out our toothbrushes every other month

[soccerchik8287]

I change toothbrushes about every 2 months. That is about how often I find coupons and sales that make nice new toothbrushes free or super cheap! :)

[countrymomma81]

Quoting nngmommy83:

I change out our toothbrushes every other month

Same here. I have a short attention span and often want to try the "cool new" toothbrushes. 

I also have a thing for toothpaste. We rarely ever finish a tube before I'm ready to move on to the new one. 

[Fields456]

My dd has a sonicare so changing to brush doesn't. Change her tooth brush. Now me and dh only have normal toothbrushes for now ( I want a sonicare). I try to change them 4 times a year

[batjmom]

Every other month it seems. Sometimes quicker if they had been sick. We get the oral b with the battery and when that runs out you change. The battery can't be changed.

[VisionSeeker]

 I try to change out toothbrushes at least every 3 months.  If someome has been sick, theirs gets changed then so they don't reinfect themselves.

[PoehlerBear1983]

My kids love toothbrushes they get changed more often than they need to

[Audreesmommy757]

we change every month

[sarah824]

I change ours every few months. I sometimes let the kids go a little longer because they both have 2-3 brushes that they like to use so they alternate between those. 

[dusky_rose]

I just changed my son's tooth brush last month. I change mine when it looks worn. If its just germs I'm worried about, I will microwave a cup of water for 2 minutes, then put my brush in there to kill the germs for 10 minutes.