Electric toothbrush heads need to be replaced as frequently as you would a manual toothbrush. Just because the brush itself doesn’t need replacing, doesn’t mean you can keep on using the same head, as it will reach the point where it becomes ineffectual, leaving your teeth prone to plaque build up.
Electric toothbrush heads are constructed with many different bristles clustered together, often in different lengths and angles, to give you the most effective clean. Whilst they are very durable and designed to withstand being used many times, they will only stay fully effective for so long.
In order to keep your teeth and gums clean, we recommend that you change your electric toothbrush heads every 3 months. The great thing about using an electric toothbrush, is that many of the heads feature a colour indicator that changes colour when it’s time to change the brush head. So, even if you forget to write it in the calendar, you’ll know roughly when those three months are up as your toothbrush will tell you!
How do you know if you need to replace it sooner?
If you brush your teeth more than twice a day, perhaps because you wear braces and have to clean away food debris, or you brush for more than 2 minutes at a time, you may need to replace your electric toothbrush head more frequently than every 3 months.
You’ll know that your toothbrush head needs changing by looking out for the following signs:
- Worn or frayed bristles
- Bristles pointing in all different directions, or not looking uniform
- Damaged brush head
- Colour indicators changed or colours faded
If your toothbrush head needs replacing more frequently, then you may need to revise your brushing technique. Brushing your teeth too hard can wear out your toothbrush quicker than normal, as well as damaging the enamel on your teeth. Speak to our dental team if you think you might be brushing too hard and we can recommend the most effective technique.
Handy ways to remember to change your electric toothbrush head
It isn’t always possible to spot the signs of wear and tear, so here are a few ways in which you can easily remind yourself that it’s time to replace your toothbrush heads.
- Set a calendar entry 3 months from the day you last replaced your toothbrush head.
- Use an app to remind you - many toothbrush manufacturers such as Oral-B have apps that allow you to keep track of how long you have been using your current toothbrush head. Some also have a reminder tool you can sign up to on the website.
- Sign up for an electric toothbrush head subscription - whether you buy directly from the manufacturer or via Amazon, for example, you can choose to have your toothbrush heads sent every 3 months, thus negating the need for you to ever remember.
You don’t just have to take your dentist’s word for it as research has shown that a new brush head is more effective at removing debris and plaque from teeth than an old, worn out toothbrush. This means that no matter how good your oral health regime or brushing technique, if you’re using an old toothbrush, your teeth and gums won’t be getting the care they deserve.
Please visit our online shop for electric toothbrushes and accessories or call us on 01256 353033 or click here if you’d like to book a check up.
