Here is one of the most common questions I hear from my Patients?

How Often should I switch my tooth brush?

Most dentists and the American Dental Association recommend to replace your tooth brush about every three months. In my household, it is all about the visual ques and any recent illnesses. What do I mean with that? If and when we notice that the tooth brush bristles are worn and or look different, we know it is time for the tooth brush to go to a farm upstate :-). Also, one thing we do not concider often is illnesses. Germs will have the best place to hide and grow within the bristles of a tooth brush. So, you should replace your tooth brush after you recover from a recent illness such as the common cold, the flu, or Covit.

Some newere electric tooth brushes come with UV light cleaners, and they are sanitized between every use, so those do not need to be changed as often due to illness, although the jury is still out on the effectivness of a 5 minute cycle.