You’ve spent a lot of time taking care of your teeth. You brush and floss to remove plaque, prevent cavities and keep your mouth clean. But did you know that proper toothbrush care — cleaning, drying, and storing your toothbrush — is just as important?

How Often Should You Replace Your Toothbrush?

The lifespan of a toothbrush depends on the quality of the product. A good toothbrush should last between two to three months. Toothbrushes can become contaminated or damaged. This can cause your toothbrush to harbor bacteria and not clean your teeth as well.

If you’re using an electric toothbrush, the brush head needs replacement every 2-3 months as well. The bristles can become frayed and not clean your teeth well. It may be a good idea to replace it more often if you have large areas of decay or gum disease.

It is also recommended that you replace your toothbrush after being sick. Especially if you suffer from colds. This will help you to avoid getting sick again. Aside from the recommended 2-3 months replacement period, there are some indicators that you should replace it sooner:

• The bristles have frayed and splayed in different directions
• You see discolored bristles
• You’ve been sick with a cold, flu, or other illness
• You notice an unpleasant odor coming from the brush
• The bristles don’t feel as firm as they should be

Toothbrushes are pretty complicated products. Even the simplest manual toothbrushes have at least two mechanical parts (the handle and the brush). Some may contain as many as six parts if they’re a fancy model. Electric toothbrushes, meanwhile, are little portable devices, with motors and electronics inside. As such, they need some maintenance to keep them in top shape, and you need to know how to use them properly. 

Should You Use a Manual or An Electric Toothbrush?

A good manual toothbrush is an excellent tool for cleaning teeth, as long as it’s used properly. A lot of people don’t hold the brush the right way or brush for the right amount of time. That’s where electric toothbrushes can come in handy. The motor does most of the work for you by moving the bristles back and forth in a scrubbing motion; all you have to do is guide them along each tooth surface. Some studies show that electric toothbrushes may be more effective for removing plaque and preventing gum disease. Granted that you use them correctly.

Also, electric brushes can be your best friend if you have limited dexterity because of an injury or health condition — like arthritis. But it all boils down to personal preference. One factor that still makes the manual toothbrush the top choice is affordability. 

How long should you brush your teeth?

Your teeth should be brushed for at least two minutes, twice a day. Brushing for two minutes should take a little over 30 seconds for each quadrant of your mouth. The four quadrants are the upper right, upper left, lower right, and lower left sides of your mouth.

You should also brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush that’s the right size to fit in your mouth. A toothbrush with a small head will allow you to reach all parts of your mouth better than a large one. 

Best Way to Store a Toothbrush

The best way to store a toothbrush when it’s not being used is in an upright position, allowing the brush to air-dry.

Toothbrushes should never be stored in a closed container. This provides the perfect damp environment for microorganisms to grow. If you’re using a toothbrush cover, you should take it off and allow the brush to air-dry after each use.

Toothbrushes should be kept at least 6 feet (2 meters) away from the toilet because the spray from flushing can spread germs over 6 feet. The best way to keep your toothbrush clean is to rinse it thoroughly after each use and always store it in an upright position.

Some people believe that disinfecting toothbrushes with alcohol or boiling water will help prevent illness. Yet, there is no evidence that this does any good. And if you boil your toothbrush, you may damage the bristles. A better way to keep your toothbrush clean is by replacing it every 3–4 months or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

Some dentists recommend storing toothbrushes in cabinets that have open bottoms. This allows airflow to pass through the bottom of the brush. But, it is important to make sure that no objects underneath could come into contact with the brush.

Storing multiple toothbrushes together can also be problematic because of the potential cross-contamination of bacteria. Storing brushes away from toilets and sinks will also reduce the chances of contamination by spray from flushing or cleaning.

Best Way to Clean a Toothbrush

Most of us don’t think twice about how to clean a toothbrush. After all, it’s only in your mouth for a few minutes out of every day, so it must be pretty clean already. Right?

The answer depends on how you store your toothbrush. If you leave it exposed in the open air, then yes, it could probably use a little cleaning. If you’re still worried about cleaning your toothbrush, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this important dental hygiene tool.

Can I wash my toothbrush with soap and water?

Yes, as long as you rinse it thoroughly afterward to get rid of the soap residue. A quick soak in mouthwash can help kill germs too.

Can I sanitize my toothbrush with bleach?

Yes, but use only a very small amount of bleach and rinse thoroughly afterward. You don’t want any bleach left on the brush when it goes back in your mouth! Just like with soap and water, mouthwash does a fine job of disinfecting without the need for bleaching products.

When should I replace my toothbrush?

As mentioned many times in this article, you should replace your toothbrush every three months to ensure that it will deliver proper cleaning.

Takeaway

Beyond routine oral hygiene maintenance, you need to take good care of your toothbrush to ensure its longevity. Said simply, this means proper storage, cleaning, and disinfecting both before and after each use. Easy enough? Then it’s time to get brushing!