I don’t know about you, but when I look at my toothbrush, I’m pretty impressed. I don’t see just an ordinary thing, I see something amazing!! A toothbrush shaped, bamboo coloured, bristley superhero... I bet right about now, you’re wondering “why”?
Well, it’s because our toothbrushes are like little superheroes for our teeth and gums. Every day they take on the thousands of bacteria and microorganisms that fill our mouths! It might sound disgusting (it is), but it’s also pretty bloody cool! So, to make sure our toothbrushes are best equipped for their daily 4 minute battle(2 minutes, twice a day), it’s important to consider when should I change my toothbrush?
The Australian Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush, whether manual or powered every three months or when when the bristles start to spread apart —whichever comes first.
Most of us know our toothbrushes aren’t meant to last forever, but it can be hard to figure out when our beloved bristles are nearing the end of their lifespan. To keep those bristles working fine and your smile fresh, you should replace your toothbrush, at least, every 12 weeks!
This is important because your toothbrush is your first line of defence against the mean ol’ bacteria that cause gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath! If you’re wondering, “when did I last change my toothbrush?”, and you you can’t remember, odds are it’s probably time to make the switch! Or, if your super brush is showing signs of wear, maybe the bristles are fraying or if it just doesn’t have the shiny lustre it once did, this means you could now be scraping your teeth with jagged edges that aren’t meant to touch your pearly whites! If this is the case, purchase a new toothbrush before the 12 week period (cough….cough a bamboo one!)
Talking about coughs, it is also important to consider whether you should replace your toothbrush sooner. For example, if you or a family member have been sick, it’s a good idea to replace your toothbrush as well as for everyone else in your household.
Remember, not all superheroes wear capes... they do all brush their teeth though!