How Long Does A Toothbrush Last?

An easy and simple step to maintaining a beautiful, white smile is to regularly change your toothbrush. This is something that is also easily forgotten, especially if the toothbrush belongs to our children. 

So when and how often should a toothbrush be changed? Colgate and most dental professionals agree that syou should change your toothbrush every three months. Studies show that after three months of normal wear and tear, toothbrushes are much less effective at removing plaque from teeth and gums compared to new, fresh toothbrushes. 

As we brush our teeth , the bristles of the brush break down and lose their effectiveness in reaching all the nooks and carnies around your teeth. In some cases where your child has been sick for a short time, as the get better, it's also a good idea to switch their toothbrush. The germs their body was fighting does not to be re-introduced back into their system.

As for maintenance of your toothbrush, make sure too leave it dry and away from germ areas in the bathroom. Before you use it shake it and tap it under running warm water. For storage, put it in a cup so it stands straight up.

For any other questions about Oral Health please call Dr. Patrick Wilson at (603) 343-1228 or stop on by Great Outdoors Pediatric Dentistry and say hello at:

6 Old Rochester Road #301
Dover, NH 03820