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When to Replace Your Toothbrush

added on: August 19, 2015

It is advisable to replace your toothbrush or electronic toothbrush head at least every three months. You can, of course, replace your toothbrush more frequently if use has bent the bristles or you feel it’s losing its effectiveness, but four times a year is the typical recommendation.

Over time, the bristles of a toothbrush become less effective at removing bacteria, food particles, and plaque. Add to this studies that have found common bathroom germs and bacteria on as many as 60% of toothbrushes in shared bathrooms, and frequent replacement begins to make a lot of sense. We will supply you with a new toothbrush during your routine visits to our Marion, Iowa office, but we recommend you purchase a replacement at least once in between every visit.

Which Toothbrush is Best?

The best toothbrush is the one that feels comfortable in your mouth and prompts you to brush after every meal and snack. Soft bristles are best for reducing enamel erosion, but really any toothbrush that you like using will be the best one for your oral health. This can be discussed in greater detail during your next appointment with Dr. McLaughlin.

To schedule an appointment at our Marion office, please contact Dental Touch Associates today. We welcome patients from Cedar Rapids and all surrounding Iowa communities.

About The Author
Dr. Blaine Mclaughlin

Dr. Blaine McLaughlin is a cosmetic and family dentist dedicated to transforming patient experiences. He adopts new technology in his practice to provide exceptional patient care and specializes in cosmetic dentistry by earning a fellowship at the renowned Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI). Dr. McLaughlin has finished several advanced courses at LVI, including practical occlusion, neuromuscular orthodontics, and aesthetic reconstruction.