As wonderful as it would be, your toothbrush won’t last forever. Even if you splurge on a top-of-the-line electronic brush, you will still have to replace the head regularly. In fact, doing so is more important than you might think. It is beneficial to think of replacing your brush as a key component of your at-home oral hygiene habit, along with brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash consistently. In today’s blog, your Conroe, TX dentist describes the signs that indicate it is time for a new toothbrush.
Brushing 101
While you most likely know how to brush your teeth, it is still important to reassess the basics. For starters, you should be brushing at least twice a day — if you eat a particularly sugary or sticky snack, it is advisable to clean your teeth immediately afterward in addition to your normal morning and evening brushing. For the most effective experience, you should brush for no less than two minutes. There’s a chance your memory of what two minutes of brushing feels like has faded over the years, so set a timer until you get a feel for this duration. Additionally, you should floss at least once a day. Most people choose to do this at night, but as long as you do it at least once a day, the time doesn’t particularly matter. Ultimately, following these guidelines and visiting your dentist every six months for a checkup will help keep your mouth as healthy as possible.
How To Know You Need A New Brush
Typically, you want to replace your brush every three months. With an electronic one, you should swap out the head in the same timeframe. If you brush your teeth more often or you notice bristles starting to fray or fall out, that is a sign it is time for a replacement. Sticking to every twelve weeks is important because bacteria and small food particles build up over time, and you do not want to reintroduce them into your mouth. You want to be sure that your brushing is as effective as possible and that your mouth remains healthy, so we encourage you to stick to this timeline. Doing so will help lessen the chances of decay and other issues developing. After all, it is less of a headache to brush twice a day than it is to have a cavity filled.
Other Times You Need A Replacement
In addition to replacing it every three months, you should also swap it out if you ever drop it onto your bathroom floor or become sick. Your oral cavity is particularly susceptible to viral and bacterial infections, so you will definitely need a new one if you find yourself with one of these sicknesses. Also, be sure to keep your brush in a clean location that is uncovered with the head not touching anything else.
Contact Us For More Tips
Your at-home routine is an essential component of practicing preventative care, so we encourage you to stay on top of it. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact The Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX by calling 936-441-4600.
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