{"id":40,"date":"2020-09-27T17:11:00","date_gmt":"2020-09-27T17:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kramerdmd.com\/blog\/?p=40"},"modified":"2024-09-24T04:05:59","modified_gmt":"2024-09-24T04:05:59","slug":"change-your-toothbrush-time-to-replace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kramerdmd.com\/blog\/change-your-toothbrush-time-to-replace\/","title":{"rendered":"Is It Time to Replace Your Toothbrush?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Do you know when to change your toothbrush? Even though most of us clean our teeth with these useful tools every day, it\u2019s easy to forget that they\u2019re not designed to last forever. If you take a close look at your toothbrush and discover that it has flattened, frayed, or discolored bristles, it may be spreading bacteria instead of cleaning it away. Here\u2019s what could happen if you continue to use an old toothbrush and how often you should replace it to keep your smile happy and healthy.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Old Toothbrushes & Oral Health Issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As toothbrushes wear down over time, their bristles become bent and skewed. Researchers have found that after several months of use, toothbrushes begin to leave behind a considerable amount of plaque, bacteria, and food debris after brushing for a full two minutes. What\u2019s more, frayed and flattened bristles create spaces that can trap and harbor bacteria, even after you rinse off your toothbrush when you\u2019re done brushing. Not only does this allow bacteria to grow on the damp bristles of your toothbrush between uses, but accumulated particles can be redeposited back into your mouth the next time you brush. This influx in plaque and bacteria in your mouth can lead to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n