How often do children and adults need to change their toothbrushes? The period of use recommended by experts is on average about 2-3 months, in extreme cases – no more than 4. At the same time, there is no difference in what age category the user belongs to. Often there are circumstances in the occurrence of which it is necessary to dispose of the old accessory much earlier. This also applies to manual models, and interchangeable nozzles used in electrical devices.
To extend the life of the product, it is necessary to properly select, store, and operate it. If you do not get rid of the device with frayed bristles in a timely manner, you can damage the mucous membrane and cause an infection, as well as provoke other unpleasant consequences.
Why you need to follow the timing of replacing toothbrushes
Even the most expensive models cannot last forever, so they have to be thrown away. Brand new bristles are the key to high-quality cleaning, and therefore a guarantee of oral health, the absence of carious lesions, and bad breath. The new accessory will more effectively remove food particles and bacteria on hard and soft tissues.
What are the consequences of untimely updating of the hygiene device:
- Pathological processes of mucous membranes. Harmful microorganisms accumulate on the bristles, which, when they get on the gums, tongue, and inside of the cheeks and palate, cause stomatitis and other unpleasant consequences.
- Caries. If the pile is deformed, it copes worse with plaque and dirt.
- Injury to the mucous membranes. Worn bristles do not act directly, but in different directions, because of which it touches soft tissues.
How often should you change your toothbrush?
Cleaning will show sufficient effectiveness and will bring exceptional benefits if replaced with a new one every two to three months. Most dentists point to the need to do this even more often, that is, monthly. Even the most high-quality and wear-resistant bristles are threatened with deformation, which means that hygiene procedures with their use will not bring any results. The deadline for use is four months, but doctors do not advise waiting that long to avoid the appearance of various dental diseases.
How often should an adult toothbrush be changed?
It is best to do this at least quarterly. The optimal frequency is 6 times a year or more. Using the product for longer is extremely harmful to the health of the oral cavity and the condition of the body as a whole. Pathogens that penetrate the mucous membranes provoke various problems, a person can become infected through a harmless-looking accessory with anything.
Compliance with the indicated terms is not enough – it is important to take good care of the bristles, and ensure proper storage and operation. If you neglect these rules, the device will become unusable much earlier.
How often should a child’s toothbrush be changed?
The baby’s first oral hygiene accessory is a silicone brush tip worn on the parent’s finger. It not only cleans the first teeth and soft tissues but also massages swollen gums that cause severe discomfort to the child. After each use, the product must be disinfected in a special solution or boiled for a short time to eliminate germs. Such a massager is changed at least every 4 months.
When a baby reaches the age of one, a real device is usually acquired. The bristles should be soft and elastic. Replacement terms are no different from adults. Pediatric dentists recommend disposing of old products quarterly.
The need to replace electrical models
How many times do you need to change the toothbrush when it is not manual but works in automatic mode on a battery? The device itself is designed for a long period of action, which depends on the manufacturer, motor performance, battery type, and capacity, the material of manufacture, and other characteristics. On average, electric brushes last up to several years.
It is the replaceable nozzles that are subject to replacement, which must be thrown away after 2-3 months of use, in extreme cases – 4. In addition, there is a list of reasons discussed below when this should happen much earlier.
As a rule, bristles in electric models are no different from ordinary ones. Differences may be, for example, in the shape of the head, but this does not affect the duration of the operation.
Signs that indicate the need for replacement
The time after which the toothbrush is changed is far from always the allowable 2-4 months. Under certain circumstances, you will have to purchase an accessory a little earlier. Otherwise, problems with the teeth cannot be avoided, and they will arise very soon. Reasons why you should do it:
- Three months of use have expired. Dentists advise replacing more often if a person resorts to hygienic cleaning more than twice a day.
- Bristle deformation. Over time, the villi move apart and bend in different directions. In this state, the accessory will not be able to fully perform its functions of high-quality cleansing of the oral cavity and massaging soft tissues.
- The inconvenience of application. For example, the brush brings discomfort when held in the hand, does not rotate well in the mouth, and generally only irritates the active user. All this indicates an incorrect selection of the item, which means that it will have to be changed, otherwise the benefits of hygiene procedures will be reduced to zero.
- The person has had an infectious disease. After a cold or other illness, you should definitely get rid of the old product, as bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms remain on it. A favorable moist environment has been created on the bristles for their active reproduction. Subsequently, re-infection is possible, especially if the body is severely weakened.
- After returning from a long trip. When traveling, it is better to take a separate disposable “camping” thing, which then must be disposed of. Why is it necessary to change the toothbrush after dental hygiene, even if the rest does not last long? It’s definitely not worth taking it home with you, because at least it won’t have time to dry completely, and there will also be a lot of “alien” bacteria on it.
- After falling into mud or hard-to-reach places. If the object fell on the floor in the bathroom, nothing bad will happen, just rinse it under running water, after treating it with soapy water. Another thing is if the device rolled behind the washing machine or fell into any other corner where it is rarely possible to carry out wet cleaning. There accumulates dust, small debris, and mold appears.
- The brush was used by other people. The elementary rule of personal hygiene states that only one person can use a hygiene accessory.
- After insect baiting (disinsection) was carried out in the bathroom if the accessory was not hidden in advance and protected from the effects of chemical compounds.
- Incorrect hardness selected. It is advisable to select an item according to this criterion exclusively with a dentist. Otherwise, you can damage the enamel and provoke other problems with the teeth and gums.
- Poor brush care. Rinse thoroughly under running water before and after use. Once a week, it is recommended to disinfect the bristles by soaking them in a hydrogen peroxide solution. In addition, you can not keep the accessory in a closed container, as it must be completely dry and ventilated to prevent the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Mold has formed in the cup or on the product itself. The shade of the villi has changed, suspicious spots have appeared, an unpleasant smell has appeared, the bristles fall out, or a plaque has formed at the base.
The modern dental market has the latest models with wear indicators that are suitable for the laziest users.
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What happens if the product is not replaced in a timely manner
All dentists unanimously agreed that when the rules for the replacement frequency are not followed, with what to change the toothbrush, this will irreversibly lead to negative consequences for the oral cavity. Firstly, over time, with regular use, the product loses its properties, which means that hard and soft tissues are cleaned poorly. Secondly, a favorable environment for the growth of bacteria is created on the bristles, even if the accessory has been carefully looked after.
The bristles gradually wear out, deform, and cannot eliminate all surface plaque on the enamel. As a result, pathogenic microflora develops in the mouth, provoking caries, periodontal disease, and other diseases. Tartar is formed, which cannot be removed at home without the use of professional techniques in the clinic.
If you press hard on a brush with out-of-shape bristles, they will be directed in different directions, and not straight. Because of this, the risk of injury to the mucous membranes increases. When harmful microorganisms present on the bristles get into the wound, this can lead to infection of the body. These infections are difficult to treat and cause serious complications in immunocompromised people.
Rules for the care and storage of the accessory
After each cleaning, thoroughly wash the device with hot running water. It is advisable to additionally use baby soap. Other recommendations on how to care for the hygiene product:
- Keep it in a special cup strictly vertically with the bristles up to dry it. After drying the villi, put them on top of a small case with holes for air circulation.
- Weekly treat the fleecy part with an antiseptic solution. You can use universal products from a pharmacy or purchase a special composition for cleansing.
- Thoroughly wash the cup or other storage container at least once a week.
- Arrange the accessories of all family members so that they do not touch the bristles.
- Keep brushes separate from other hygiene products.
Recommendations for use by dentists:
- Do not press too hard while cleaning. This will not remove plaque faster, but the risk of injury to the gums and deformation of the bristles increases significantly.
- Choose a device with inclined villi. They contribute to a better cleansing of the oral cavity from food particles.
- You need to brush not only your teeth but also your tongue. To do this, most models have a special manual pad located on the back of the head.
How to choose
All products are divided into 2 large groups: conventional and electrical. How many times should you change your toothbrush if it belongs to one or the other variety? The general term is two to four months.
You can choose any type that will be most convenient for a particular user. Manual models captivate with their portability and readiness for use at any time. They do not make any sounds, a person can adjust the speed and degree of impact on hard and soft tissues.
General recommendations for selection:
- Bristles made of synthetic materials;
- Lack of plastic or rubber inserts on the cleaning element;
- A fairly long head covering several teeth at once;
- The acquisition of a special orthodontic model in the presence of a bracket system
The electric brush has to be charged. It takes up more space than usual, so it is not very convenient to take it on trips. However, thanks to the automatic rotation of the head, cleaning does not require effort from the user and shows high efficiency even when processing hard-to-reach areas. Such devices often have additional options such as adjusting the speed and direction of rotation.
What are the criteria for selecting electrical devices:
- Cleaning technology;
- Number of operating modes;
- Head shape;
- Convenience when holding in a hand, design;
- Battery capacity, its type;
- The presence of additional functions, for example, a timer, a wear indicator, a surface pressure sensor, and the ability to remotely control and synchronize with a mobile application.
Bristle stiffness
There are 3 types of brushes according to this criterion:
- Soft. Designed specifically for children and patients with gum disease and other pathologies that are accompanied by increased bleeding and severe pain.
- Medium hard. This is a universal option for people with a healthy oral cavity, used everywhere. Hard and soft tissues are cleaned quite effectively, while cleaning is carried out in a gentle mode without the risk of damaging the gums. Such products can be used to clean both natural teeth and artificial prostheses.
- Rigid. The accessory can only be used after consulting a dentist in certain cases. For example, such cleaning is prescribed in case of excessive formation of solid deposits or the presence of prosthetic elements.
There is also a separate category of supersoft devices. They are used only under strict medical indications.
How often should you change your toothbrush: A change is necessary every 2-4 months, regardless of the degree of stiffness of the bristles. This characteristic does not affect the wear rate in any way.
Location and shape of bristles
Devices are also classified according to the configuration of the bristles. They are oblique at an angle, multi-level, beam, and so on. The sloping beveled pile makes cleaning more effective and helps to reach even hard-to-reach places (interdental spaces, lateral surfaces).
Beams allow you to process large areas. This also applies to the cervical areas, where hard deposits often form.
Availability of additional functions
Modern models have extensive functionality, which greatly facilitates their use. What options can be provided for such products:
- Wear indicator. The user sees when a replacement is required, so he does not have to remember the date of purchase of a new accessory, he himself will “signal” this.
- The antibacterial coating on the bristles.
- Manual pad for cleansing the tongue and mucous membranes.
- The presence of corrugated areas applied by a laser contributes to an increase in the effectiveness of hygiene procedures.
Additional features that may be present in electrical devices:
- Possibility of regulation of the high-speed mode;
- Various rotation options;
- Standard cleaning, sonic, and ultrasound;
- Double-sided bristles, allow you to clean both rows at once.
Summarize
With systematic use, the maximum service life of a toothbrush is no more than 4 months. However, dentists recommend changing the product more often. Ignoring this rule can lead to diseases of the oral cavity due to poor cleaning, injury to the mucous membranes, and other health consequences. The stores also present the most modern models for the lazy and forgetful with the so-called wear indicators, with which you can understand that the used accessory should be disposed of.
For consultations, come to the dental center “Dentika”. Our specialists will not only help you choose the right toothbrush but also give useful recommendations for high-quality hygienic oral care.