How long have you had your toothbrush? Are the bristles looking a bit worse for wear? It’s time to throw it out and get a new one. Think about the products in your house that expire, you throw them out and replace them; food, vitamins, beauty products but why not your toothbrushes?!

We recommend you change your toothbrush every 3 months. The more you use your toothbrush, the less effective it gets removing plaque from your teeth and gums. 3 months is normally the time the bristles get soft and worn and lose effectiveness.

Let’s think about all the germs that are building up and hiding in your toothbrush, the more you are using it the more you are building up but also transferring those germs around your mouth and bathroom! This is particularly important when you’ve been ill, especially something like a cold, replace your toothbrush so that you are reinfecting yourself.

After you’ve used the toothbrush make sure you rinse and dry thoroughly, also keep it upright, uncovered and away from other used toothbrushes. This prevents the build-up of fungus and bacteria and reduces the spread of germs.

Pro tip: Set a 3-month reminder in your phone so you remember to change your toothbrush!

If you’re on the hunt for a new toothbrush but unsure what to get, one of our hygienists can give you recommendations based on your needs.

However, we usually suggest toothbrushes with softer bristles as hard bristles can damage your teeth and gums. The head of the toothbrush needs to be small enough to brush just one or two teeth at a time. Your toothpaste should contain fluoride and don’t forget to floss or use interdental brushes for that extra fresh smile!

Have a think about investing in an electric toothbrush, they are proven to work better than a manual toothbrush but can be quite expensive compared to manual. Speak to one of our hygienists about the best electric toothbrushes on the market.

If you need any help with the above, we recommend coming in to see one of our lovely hygienists, they will give you tailored oral hygiene advice, as well as giving your teeth a good scale & polish.

Contact our reception team to book a hygiene appointment – 0191 259 6506 or reception@ewanbramley.com