How often should I change my toothbrush?

Every person who cares about oral hygiene thinks about how often a toothbrush needs to be changed. Considering the question of the regularity of buying new accessories, it is important to pay attention not only to what exactly affects their service life - the type of product design and its purpose are also important. To find out how many times a year you need to change the brush for daily dental care for an adult and a child, a detailed overview of all these aspects will help.

A toothbrush available in every home is an individual use item that every person needs. Taking care of oral hygiene helps prevent the development of inflammation and maintains the aesthetics of the smile. As with any item intended for short-term use, the brush should be changed regularly. There are many reasons for this.

• Wear... Over time, the brush no longer effectively cleans the surface of the tooth enamel from plaque and food debris. Friction leads to abrasion, delamination, loss of bristle tufts attached to its head. Contact with water and chemicals in the paste will gradually soften the nylon fibers. As a result, the quality of teeth cleaning is gradually decreasing.
• Bacterial hazard... In contact with the oral cavity, the toothbrush becomes covered with bacterial plaque, which gradually settles on the surface of the head. Even careful care of it does not provide a sufficiently high level of hygienic cleanliness. Microorganisms settle at the base of the bristle tufts and form a stable hostile environment.In the presence of wounds in the oral cavity, contact with them can lead to the development of dangerous inflammations and diseases.

These are the main factors affecting the need for replacement. In addition, manufacturers are constantly improving the quality of their products, changing materials, and increasing the functionality of toothbrushes.

Disputes about how often toothbrushes need to be changed during operation do not subside. Manufacturers usually indicate the lifespan of their products on the packaging. However, these indicators are also not the only correct ones. Dentists indicate the average data, recommending changing the brush at least once a quarter. But some products have to be retired after 1.5-2 months. Much depends on the quality of the materials used, design features, bristle stiffness.

Toothbrushes for adults are recommended to be replaced at least once every 8-10 weeks. This is enough for the product to perform its functions, but not undergo significant wear and tear. If a bacterial infection is detected, including in the oral cavity, it is worth replacing the brush ahead of schedule. In addition, it is better to discard a personal hygiene item if traces of mold or mildew appear on its surface. It is also better to replace the brush after a long break in use, especially if it was stored without a case. It is also recommended to purchase a new accessory in cases where the product has been dirty or damaged.

In the case of babies, the problem of regularly replacing personal hygiene items is even more acute. A child can try his first special brush already at the age of 1 year. The first teeth are cleaned with special silicone nozzles, disposable napkins or pieces of bandage attached to an adult's finger. A brush for children under 3 years old must be mechanical, with soft artificial bristles... Such products are considered to be more hygienic.

It is recommended to start using electric brushes for children no earlier than 4 years of age. By this time, the child is already quite confidently holding it in his hand, he is able to cope with hygienic procedures himself. The regularity of replacing a conventional mechanical accessory is once every 2 months. If the child has had thrush, stomatitis, or other inflammatory diseases, it is better to purchase a new accessory ahead of schedule.

The convenience of electric brushes is obvious. They provide a much more intensive and thorough removal of plaque, help to maintain a higher level of hygienic cleanliness of the oral cavity. Each such product is supplied already assembled, with a nozzle head equipped with a rotating element. Additional plug-in modules may also be supplied in the kit, but sometimes you have to buy them separately.

The frequency of changing the heads in an electric toothbrush is the same as for a conventional mechanical one. In 2-3 months, the head with bristles wears out, accumulates bacterial plaque. Moreover, there are many more joints and cavities in its design, inside which microorganisms can accumulate. That is why there are recommendations that prescribe changing the heads of the electric brushes at least once every 1.5-2 months.

There are a number of external signs that eloquently indicate that the toothbrush needs a change. Among the main "symptoms" of excessive wear are the following.

• Uneven bristle length... Intensive use will cause the front of the bristles, closer to the edge of the head, to wear off faster than the one at the handle. Having noticed such changes, you should immediately think about buying a new accessory for oral care.
• Loss of form... The new toothbrush has tufts of hair that are densely packed. They are directed strictly perpendicular to the plane in which they are attached. With wear, the bristles begin to diverge, become thinner, lose their shape and elasticity. One glance at the head will be enough to understand that the product has become unusable.
• Discoloration of the wear indicator... It is found on many modern toothbrushes. The indicator looks like a part of the bristles painted in a contrasting color. As soon as the brightness of the tone faded or completely discolored, you need to stop using the accessory.
• Plaque formation... The surface of the plastic brush head also needs attention. Even with careful care, it can become a source of bacteriological danger, accumulating paste particles, microorganisms, and other deposits. If the base of the head changes its color, becomes covered with a mucous membrane or black dots, the product needs urgent replacement. You can no longer use such a brush.
• Loss of bristles... In low-quality or very old teeth cleaning accessories, they gradually lose strength in the place of attachment in the sockets. The more intense the shedding becomes, the lower the functionality of the brush will be. At the first sign of loss of villi, it is better to purchase a new copy.

Discussions about the danger to the teeth and oral cavity have an untimely replacement of personal hygiene items, sound constantly. In fact, the risks are really high. Carefulness of oral cavity care directly depends on the condition of the brush. The more rigid the option is used, the more noticeable the wear changes become over time. A wiped, disheveled brush stops thoroughly removing bacterial plaque from the enamel surface and from the interdental space, increasing the risk of calculus and caries formation.

Untimely replacement of the accessory is hazardous to the health of the entire oral cavity. Bacteria accumulated on the head and bristles can enter the bloodstream through the wounds, causing the development of inflammatory processes. This often provokes gum disease - gingivitis, periodontitis, and leads to loosening and loss of teeth. With constant contact with pathogens of bacterial infections in the oral cavity, systemic inflammation can develop, which is difficult to treat.

There are other issues associated with a decrease in the quality of tooth brushing. Rotting food debris creates bad breath. It certainly cannot have a positive effect on the reputation. That is why regular toothbrush change is the only reasonable and correct measure to avoid possible problems.