Your toothbrush spends a lot of time in your mouth, so it’s imperative that it remain clean and functional. Eventually, though, due to time or consequence, you’ll need to retire your toothbrush. Our team at Heritage Dental has listed the most common situations that will require you to throw away your toothbrush.
– When your toothbrush is too old. To make sure your teeth are receiving a good brushing, replace your toothbrush every three to four months, or when it shows signs of wear (eg, frayed or falling-out bristles).
– When your toothbrush touches something germy. If your toothbrush falls on the floor, touches another toothbrush, or was used while you had a cold or the flu, you should throw it away.
– When your toothbrush grows bacteria. A moist environment encourages the growth of bacteria and fungi. Keeping your toothbrush in a dry, airy environment and not storing it in a toothbrush case while wet will reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
– When your toothbrush isn’t good quality. All toothbrushes wear out over time, but cheap toothbrushes pose health risks. If your toothbrush doesn’t bear the ADA Seal of Acceptance, it may not be safe to use because of sharp bristles or unhealthy plastic material.
If you have questions about throwing away your toothbrush, feel free to contact Heritage Dental at 717-755-2817. We’re happy to help you maintain quality dental hygiene.