replacing your toothbrushWhile we focus our efforts on providing oral surgery, we intrinsically understand that practicing good day-to-day habits is paramount. While not every serious situation can be avoided through regular preventative care efforts, they can certainly improve the chances of not needing more invasive procedures. With this in mind, an often overlooked component of regular oral hygiene is monitoring and replacing your toothbrush when necessary. In today’s blog, your Newport Beach, CA, dentist talks about the signs and times that indicate you need a new one.

Brushing Basics

Regularly brushing (and flossing) your teeth is one of the most important ways to fight tooth decay and prevent larger issues from developing down the road. As you likely know from your dentist telling you from the time you were a child, you should clean your teeth at least twice a day and do so for two minutes. Moreover, you should floss once a day — many do this at night. By taking care of your smile on a daily basis, you are taking steps to prevent the decay that can necessitate, in more severe cases, extraction

When To Replace Your Brush

Generally, you want to replace it every three months. If you use an electric one, you should change the head in roughly the same time span. Keep in mind that the bristles may fray quicker than those of manual ones. Bacteria and small food particles build up over time, and you do not want these accumulating. Additionally, the bristles can start to fall out or lose their integrity, making your efforts less effective. You should regularly inspect the brush, even if you haven’t reached the three-month mark, to make sure it is still in good condition. Keep in mind that some days, particularly ones in which you’ve consumed sweet, sticky, or acidic foods and beverages, you will want to brush an additional time, ideally after you’ve consumed one of these. 

Other Times You Should Use A New One

In addition to the aforementioned timeline, you should also replace it when you or anyone else in your household has been sick. In particular, bacterial and viral infections should be paid special attention to. You do not want the pathogens from these being reexposed to your mouth. With this in mind, it is also important to store yours with care. If it is held with others, make sure the heads are not touching. When you are done, make sure you rinse it with water and nothing else. Let it air dry because if you use any sort of container, mold can grow and bacteria can accumulate. Overall, if you pay attention to the brush’s condition, replace it regularly, and store it properly, you will ensure you are practicing the most effective preventative care you can at home. By doing this, you will likely limit the times you will have to visit your dentist or dentist  — outside of regular checkups.

Contact Us To Learn More About Effective At-Home Habits

We are here for all of your dental and oral surgery questions. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call Balboa Dental Surgery in Newport Beach, CA, today at 949-630-0143. We look forward to hearing from you.