How often to you change your tootbrush?
By bagumbayan
@bagumbayan (2705)
Philippines
March 24, 2008 1:20am CST
Doctors advice is to change our toothbrush every 3 months. Do you do that. I changed my toothbrush every 6 months or even up to one year. As long as I like it and I sanitized it every now and then. I have my toothbrush in my bag, at the office, when I travel so I am not using one kind of toothbrush. Because of the germs that accumulate in our toothbrush and because the brittles affects our gum are the reasons dentist is giving us, why the need to change.As long as I am sanitizing my tootbrush it is germ free. And the brittle is becoming soft because of constant usage so it is not affecting my gums. How about you, how often do you change your toothbrush?
12 people like this
63 responses
@olivemai (4738)
• United States
26 Mar 08
I have an electric toothbrush and I can change the toothbrush part every three months! I use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect so it will not cause me to get sick!
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Thats nice. So youre a good doctors follower. Good teeth is good health. Sanitizing it is the best. Thanks for the response.
2 people like this
@ycanteye (778)
• United States
25 Mar 08
I usually change my toothbrush when the bristles wear out which is about once a year. I have a hard time finding a toothbrush anyway because I use the firm ones which I know dentists don't recommend but my gums are in good shape and I don't have a problem with bleeding or sensitivity after I get my teeth cleaned. I also don't have a bad problem with plaque build up.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Maybe by this time you want to change it oftener. Just look on the brand you are using at present and for sure there are available stocks in the market. Buy 3 or more so you can change it oftener. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
25 Mar 08
Thats good, dont forget to sanitize. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
24 Mar 08
you have to change your toothbrush when the bristles starts to bend already and not how often you sanitize them or how long you have it's been with you.the bristles are very healthful because it helps take out the plaques and it massages your gums. it is not bad as long as you do not over do it.
@tigerdragon (4297)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
that is not my opinion , that is a fact i have learned from dental school, my friend.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
25 Mar 08
Thats your opinion, you are after the bristles not the germ free thing. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
24 Mar 08
so long as my toothbrush functions properly to give proper cleaning of the teeth I find no reason to switch them every 3 months, though I know that is the given standard these days. I do try to follow the advice though if we have been sick to replace the toothbrushes.
during a severe illness and malnutrition our son got thrush in his mouth we were not adviced to switch out toothbrushes, and even though that sounds like an obvious thing to do - we were so caught up in the severity of his illness that it just did not occur to us... he ended up reinfected a couple times before someone asked - did you replace his toothbrush?
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
24 Mar 08
Yes, as long as we can use it. Sorry to hear about your sons dilemna, but that is where the dentist is right. But if we sanitized it there will be no problem. Thanks for the response and Happy Easter.
1 person likes this
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
25 Mar 08
I don't think mine last that long, on average I will change mine every two months, because I brush my teeth at least twice a day and I spend quite a while brushing them making sure that they are cleaned properly. When it comes to your teeth they should be given lots of attention because they are expensive when they go wrong. Toothbrushes to replace are not expensive but having dental work is, so it's always worth spending the money on changing your brush regularly.
@edaabby (134)
• Malaysia
24 Mar 08
I change my toothbrush 3 or 4 months. I used many toothbrush, one in the bathroom, one in a office (i used it after lunch) and i for my travel.
Sometimes i change my toothbrush when it cannot use again (the brush not pretty)hihihi...
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
24 Mar 08
Its nice to hear that. So you also have your toothbrush in the places you need them. We are the same. Thanks for the response and Happy Easter.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
26 Mar 08
We change ours every six months, but sometimes sooner when the bristles wear away and it seems less effective. I do not think sanitizing the toothbrush is enough, the bristles get softer and cannot remove that gunky stuff on your teeth that well. It turns into plaque and then the dentist has to scrape them with that horrible metal tool. One year is way too long and even six months is too young.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
So it depends on the condition of your toothbrush. As you were saying one year is too long. But even if your bristle is soft as long as you are brushing your teeth the right way that chunk will not get much into it. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
26 Mar 08
Depends on when the bristles wear out. Usually they last at least 6mo. but there have been times I didn't have to change for a year.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Thats ok. Maybe you got that extra heavy duty toothbrush so you used it for a year. Just dont forget to sanitize it. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
26 Mar 08
I change mine once every month or two, when I feel like it.
I heard the same advice so I don't use them too sparingly. 
A good judge would be by looking at the bristles. 
A good judge would be by looking at the bristles. @bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
28 Mar 08
So even without the doctors advice youre changing your toothbrush. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@crazylady (470)
• United States
26 Mar 08
I change mine as needed. If I have been sick or anything, I clean it with peroxide.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Quite practical but good you are sanitizing it. But dont clean it just because you were sick. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@worldwise1 (14885)
• United States
25 Mar 08
I change my toothbrush about 3 times each year, bagum, because I feel that is enough. I once knew a man who carried his toothbrush everywhere he went and people would make fun of him because they thought it was excessive.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Youre in the range of a good patient to a doctor. As long as that man is using his toothbrush after every meal or the need too there is no problem, but if he is just bringing it with him without using, there is something wrong with that fellow. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@doorlight (74)
• Philippines
29 Mar 08
oh btw, my fave toothbrush brand is Oral B. It's the best for me.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
11 Apr 08
I am using the Oral brand also and I uses also Colgate brand. Ive been with this brand for quite sometime. Thanks again.
@doorlight (74)
• Philippines
29 Mar 08
I change my toothbrush every three months but since I started having teeth braces three years ago, it became every two months lol.
I also buy interdentals because I can't use floss at the moment. :P
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
11 Apr 08
So youre also following doctos advice. How long will you wear your braces. Have it check regularly by your doctor. Youre taking care of your teeth much. Happy smiling. Thanks for the response.
@luvingmygirls (493)
• United States
27 Mar 08
I change my toothbrush and my girls toothbrushes every 2 months or some. Just because they seem to get worn after a while.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
28 Mar 08
How about changing the brand of your toothbrush, look for something more lasting. At any rate thats good, changing your toothbrush every now and then. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Yes, we must be practical but be sure it is clean. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@proftiger (93)
• Egypt
25 Mar 08
Well i don't chang it alot as long as it is working and look okea and i am not feeling anything weired like the wite coloer begin to change or become darker than usal i can use it up to more than year as long as i didn't get board of it
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
By this time it is time for you to change for a new toothbrush. It is good for our health. Dont forget to sanitize if still you want to use it. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@whittby (3072)
• United States
25 Mar 08
I change my toothbrush about every six months. But if I'm at the dollar store and see some nice toothbrushes there, I might buy them and change the ones at home at that time. It's more remembering to buy the new toothbrush for me than how often. Of course, when we were going to the dentist every six months, we got a new toothbrush there, so no problem remembering.
,,whit
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Thats what we should do. We must have extras so that when we need to change we have ready stock. Seeing our dentist now and then is good health habit. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Thanks for the response. Its your style, just sanitize it. Next time you brush your teeth, look at it intently and ask yourself, do I have to change, you will bw hearing it answering, please, please release me.
1 person likes this
@emmyemoney (251)
• Nigeria
25 Mar 08
I cant remenber how long i use my toothbrush, just as you said i use it as long i still like it. But i have to try to change the one i have now becouse is long i start useing it
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Good, but dont forget to sanitize it. Good teeth is good health. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
@bagumbayan (2705)
• Philippines
26 Mar 08
Your practicality jibes with the doctors advice. Thanks for the response.
1 person likes this
