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Balletbaby asked in HealthDental · 1 decade ago

When should you throw away a toothbrush?

I have never known how long to keep a toothbrush for! What is the average life span? I usually keep mine for a few months. Is that ok? Does it make a difference if its electric or not?

6 Answers

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  • ?
    Lv 5
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    Hi! I've been in dentistry for over 25 years. I recommend that you change your toothbrush every 3-4 months and after a cold or serious infection. Boiling in water melts the plastic handle and weakens the brush. Do not do that. For 2 bucks toss it and get another. Do not use the brush so hard it fans out. You are not scrubbing the kitchen floor. Gum tissue is delicate and teeth can be worn done if you brush too hard. ONLY use a soft tooth brush that will get into the area around the tooth. Electric is fine as long as you get into the area behind your back teeth and the back of all your front teeth. I don't care what my patients use as long as they use it twice a day and floss. If you have any other questions, please ask. If sounds like you have a great attitude and will have your teeth your whole life. GOOD for you!!!! Keep up the good work. Marie

  • 4 years ago

    that's actual, yet simply by fact which you're nonetheless ill, there's no component in tossing it only yet. particularly, rinse your toothbrush below warm faucet water to bathe it, then placed somewhat mouthwash in a tumbler, and stick your brush in the mouthwash, with the bristles submerged. which will kill the germs and viruses on it. replace the mouthwash day after today, you basically want sufficient to submerge the bristles. only shop doing this until you're over the sore throat. Then in case you choose to, get a sparkling Oral B brush. Their toothbrushes are extra handy on your gums and tooth tooth. I disinfect my toothbrush each and every night by means of soaking in mouthwash for a minute or 2 earlier putting it away to dry. I enable the mouthwash dry on the bristles. If I actual have a chilly or sore throat I submerge it in one day particularly. you need to purchase little extremely violet lighting fixtures fixtures that kill the micro organism on your brush. you basically rinse it sparkling and placed it in this little gadget and its waiting to decide for the subsequent brushing. while you're particularly worried, you're able to purchase one in all those lighting fixtures fixtures, yet i don't think of its needed. The mouthwash looks to do the trick.

  • 1 decade ago

    usually they have a color stripe. when that begins to fade its time to get a new one. every two months should be ok for a toothbrush.

  • 1 decade ago

    You can keep it as lon as you want. Always disinfect it, or throw boiling water over it ever 1-2 months.

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    dentists recommend every 3 months get a new one

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    As soon as the bristles start to spread, once they do, they will scrape and injure your gums

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