Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice daily for a minimum of two minutes at a time. But, all of that can become wasted if you aren’t replacing your toothbrush often enough.
New research from PlumbNation found that 40 percent of Britons admitted they weren’t changing their toothbrush as frequently as they should.
Furthermore, 10 percent of people said they only switched brushes once a year.
According to experts, though, this could be hugely detrimental to your health.
In some circumstances, refusing to switch to a new toothbrush may even increase the risk of you picking up an unwanted bug.
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Why do I need to change my toothbrush so often?
Your toothbrush helps to tackle a build-up of plaque and bacteria which can lead to bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease.
Over time the bristles of your toothbrush can lose their stiffness, making it harder for them to combat food and plaque.
Your toothbrush can also become the perfect place for germs and bacteria to call home.
How can I keep my toothbrush clean?
The good news is, cleaning your toothbrush with hot water between uses is normally enough to keep it sufficiently disinfected.
However, if you do want to go one step further, soaking the brush in mouthwash or denture cleanser can also help shake off any nasty bacteria.
According to Healthline, proper toothbrush care and storage is “essential to your oral health”.
Your toothbrush should be stood upright after use, and allowed to air dry.
Try to make sure your toothbrush is not touching the head of another to prevent the spread of germs and bacteria.