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Tips & Advice 5 min read

How often should you change your toothbrush?

Written by: Sally Spencer January 19, 2021

We’ve all had it drummed into us by our parents, dentists and dental hygienists that we should be brushing our teeth twice a day, flossing and getting our regular check-ups. But one thing nobody ever seems to tell us is how often we should be changing our toothbrushes. We keep them going month after month after month, and who can blame us when there’s seemingly no easy way of knowing when it’s time to replace them!

Admittedly, some of the cleverer toothbrushes out there have bristles that gradually fade, with the lack of colour telling us it’s time to get a new one. And sometimes, it’s just obvious: the bristles are curled and gnarly, or we’re regularly having to fish bristles out of our mouths because they keep falling out of the toothbrush head. 

But really, we shouldn’t be letting our toothbrushes get to this dilapidated state. It means they won’t be cleaning our teeth properly, and worse, could be loading us up with harmful bacteria. So what do the experts say?

Georganics is revolutionizing the oral care indsutry with plastic free alternatives

The dentists have spoken

Experts recommend changing your toothbrush (or the head of your electric toothbrush) every two to four months - sooner if you’ve been sick or if it’s visibly fraying. 

They also advise changing your toothbrush more often if you keep it next to your partner’s, as a toothbrush holder is a hotbed for bacteria spread when you’re sharing it with someone else (ew). We’re sure we don’t need to go into the gory details here, but it’s also best if you don’t keep your toothbrush anywhere near the toilet… Or the sink, where tiny flecks of water and dirty soap can end up on your toothbrush while you’re washing your hands.

A sustainable alternative?

Of course, toothbrushes are an obvious source of single-use plastic (bad), but also something for which there are a growing number of eco-friendly alternatives available (good). With many of the 3.6 billion plastic toothbrushes the world uses each year ending up in landfill - or worse, the ocean - this is a great opportunity for an eco-swap. 

 

For the littlest members of your family, you can’t go wrong with a Jack N' Jill Biodegradable Bunny Toothbrush, which has a handle made of cornstarch. Alternatively, the Georganics Beechwood Toothbrush Kids Bristles has a handle made from sustainable FSC beechwood, and also comes in a size more suitable for grown-ups. We’re sure you’ll agree that not only are these toothbrushes kinder to the environment, but they also look a heck of a lot nicer than their plastic cousins.

 

So, if you’ve not replaced your toothbrush lately, what are you waiting for? Take a look at our toothbrushes and send that manky old toothbrush packing.

 

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