Everyone’s dentist has taught them the importance of brushing their teeth, scheduling regular teeth cleanings, and visiting the family dentist twice a year. But good dental care is not just about remembering to scrub those molars. If you’re using the same toothbrush for too long, all the benefits of brushing will go down the drain! The team at Katz Family Dentistry in Webster, NY, encourages all their patients to swap their old toothbrushes for new ones every few months. 

Here, these family dentists will list three signs it’s time for a new brush:

• Bad Bristles: The bristles on your toothbrush are made of synthetic polyester, and they’ll eventually become hardened. Once this happens, they can be rough on your gums and cause the enamel on your teeth to erode when you brush. When you notice the bristles on your toothbrush are hard, bent, or even faded in color, it’s definitely time to purchase a new one.
• Time: Even if you don’t see your bristles becoming hardened or frayed, three to four months of using a toothbrush is usually plenty. It can be sooner if you brush quite often and are heavy handed in your teeth cleaning technique. If it’s difficult for you to remember when your time is up, you can set yourself reminders or even purchase a toothbrush that is designed to change color when it’s time to get rid of it.  
• Illness & Travel: If you have recently had the flu, your toothbrush will have picked up all the bad bacteria and fungi in your mouth while you were sick. These can remain on the brush for weeks after you’ve recovered and put you at risk of getting sick again. And if you put your toothbrush in a closed case for more than a day while you’re traveling, it can also invite extra bacteria growth, so you may want to change it after a trip as well.   

For more teeth cleaning and toothbrush care tips and to make an appointment with one of Webster’s trusted family dentists, call Katz Family Dentistry at (585) 671-2340 or visit their website.