When to replace your toothbrush – 3 reasons to get a new toothbrush post-Covid
Researchers from the University of Manchester in the UK found both E.coli and staphylococcus bacteria on toothbrushes, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the USA found faecal germs too! You’re supposed to replace your toothbrush or toothbrush head more often than you’d think, particularly if you’ve been sick. Express.co.uk chatted to the team at oral care brand hello to find out everything you need to know about replacing your toothbrush (especially after Covid).
Did you know that you should change your toothbrush every three months?
That’s right, you should use and dispose of at least four different toothbrushes or change your electric toothbrush head at least four times every year.
This is mainly down to the fact that your toothbrush is full of germs and viruses.
Bacteria can be useful, your mouth is full of these types of bacteria.
That’s why you can use your toothbrush for as long as three to four months without any harm.
However, if you’ve had the flu or Covid you need to replace your toothbrush as soon as you’re better. Here’s why.
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The three reasons to get a new toothbrush post-Covid
Bacteria and viruses
Changing your toothbrush after having Covid/flu is a great way to get rid of any lingering bacteria, the experts at hello said.
This is also one way to make sure you don’t spread your sickness to the rest of the family through contamination.
In fact, while you’re sick, you should use a different tube of toothpaste from the people you live with to prevent spreading germs to other toothbrushes.
Source: | This article first appeared on Express.co.uk