A toothbrush is the most important tool we have to help us maintain proper oral hygiene. Proper oral hygiene. .Thanks to brushing, we eliminate food residues that accumulate in the mouth after meals, as well as bacteria that accumulate in the mouth after meals, as well as bacteria responsible for plaque formation, caries and other oral problems.

 Food scraps and bacteria build up on your toothbrush over time. Regular replacement is therefore critical, no matter how well maintained and cleaned. It must be replaced regularly to ensure its hygiene and correct function.

 Oral health professionals recommend changing your toothbrush every three months of use. Even if it appears to be in good condition. But most importantly, if the bristles start to open or wear out, they should be replaced with new ones as soon as possible. The same goes for the brush head of an electric toothbrush. This part should also be replaced every three months at the latest, regardless of whether it looks damaged.

 So how to judge if your toothbrush is damaged?

  •  When the distance between the bristles of the toothbrush becomes larger

Usually, the bristles are densely arranged. If the distance between the bristles is significantly wider, the dirt is more likely to remain on the root of the toothbrush. It is best to replace it with a new one.

 In addition, you should also maintain your toothbrush at ordinary times. After brushing your teeth, you should thoroughly wash the toothpaste and dirt on the toothbrush. After use, put the toothbrush head up as far as possible. Staying dry helps reduce bacteria. The position of the toothbrush should also be as dry as possible, because a humid environment is more conducive to the rapid reproduction of microorganisms.

  • Darkening of the root of the toothbrush

Dirt on the roots of the bristles will gradually accumulate, which is one of the reasons for the growth of bacteria. Even cleaning after each use cannot be completely prevented. Therefore, once the color of the roots of the toothbrush is found to be darker, it is a sign of more dirt accumulation and should be replaced in time. .

  •  Soft toothbrush bristles

Once it is found that most of the bristle tips are soft and collapsed, it means that the degree of wear is large, and the teeth cannot be cleaned well and should be replaced.

 It is recommended that the use period of the toothbrush should not exceed 3 months, but it also varies from person to person. For example, some people use the most force when brushing their teeth. In less than 3 months, the bristles of the toothbrush will be bent and deformed, and they must be replaced in time. Because the bristles are bent and deformed, the cleaning effect of the toothbrush is significantly reduced. It can also cause damage to teeth and gums.

  •  The importance of changing your toothbrush

Due to its high frequency of use, several times a day, toothbrush wear and loss of effectiveness is very common. Wear and lose potency. The brush loses its original shape and starts to open. When we observe the deterioration of the brush, it is time to replace the toothbrush or electric toothbrush head, whether or not we have reached the maximum period of 3 months recommended by the dentist.

 Because it is used. Bacteria and germs from the mouth accumulate between the bristles of the toothbrush head, even if they are invisible to the naked eye. The head of the toothbrush, even if you can't see it with the naked eye. These bacteria can grow in the right humidity conditions and return to the mouth when the toothbrush is used again. Some of them are pathogenic and responsible for different types of diseases that affect gums, teeth, and general health. Therefore, it is crucial to take hygienic measures, to maintain the toothbrush correctly, and to renew it after three months of use at the latest.

 How to properly protect your toothbrush

In addition to changing our toothbrush every three months, we can do a practice that will help us maintain the best possible hygiene. .If we use and maintain our toothbrush correctly, we can reduce the accumulation of microorganisms on the toothbrush.

 Here are some tips for properly maintaining our toothbrush

  1. Wash our hands with soap and water before brushing. This prevents microbes from dirty hands from being transferred directly to the toothbrush.
  2.  Thoroughly disinfect brushes after use. To do this, it is recommended to soak the toothbrush in a glass of mouthwash, preferably containing acetylpyridine chloride (CPC) or clorhexidine. After 30 minutes, rinse thoroughly with water and dry properly.
  3.  When you're done brushing, it's important to keep your toothbrush dry in an upright position in a ventilated area.
  4.  Prevent the toothbrush from coming into contact with other people's toothbrushes to limit the spread of germs.

As we can see. Proper use and maintenance of toothbrushes and toothbrushes and replacement of new products every three months helps to take care of our oral health and prevent dental caries and mild and severe periodontal disease.