The dentists at Oahu Dental Care want to make sure that all of their patients have a healthy a set of teeth, and taking care of your pearly whites always starts with brushing. While it is common knowledge that you are supposed to brush your teeth at least twice a day, many people aren’t sure when you actually need to replace your toothbrush so that you never lose maximum cleaning effectiveness. Consider these tips so that you will know exactly when it is time to throw your old brush away and go buy a new one:

• After an illness: While some toothbrushes are specially designed to keep bristles clean between uses, no toothbrush can kill the bacteria living in your mouth to prevent you from getting sick again. To keep both your mouth and the rest of your body healthy, remember to switch out toothbrushes the moment you start to get better.
• When your bristles have worn out or changed color: Unlike new bristles which can brush even the hardest to reach spots, old and worn out brushes are less ineffective at keeping teeth clean and can miss a good deal of plaque. Some companies actually dye the bristles of their toothbrushes so that you’ll know it is time for a new one when the colors start to fade.
• No matter what, change your toothbrush every three to four months: Even if you are perfectly healthy and the bristles seem fine, toothbrushes still generally need to be replaced every season for the best cleaning experience according to the American Dental Association. That way, you will always know that your teeth are staying as clean as possible.

If you need an orthodontist or cosmetic dentistry, call Oahu Dental Care at (808) 732-2821 or visit their website.