HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REPLACE AN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH HEAD?

Electric toothbrushes relieve us from applying effort into brushing. The process involves the cleaning of dirt on the surface area of our teeth through its vibration and rotation mechanism. This causes their bristles to wear out fast. Averagely, it is medically advisable for you to change your electric toothbrush head once every 12 to 16 weeks. However, the brush hairs on the electric toothbrushes are shorter than those on normal toothbrushes. This makes the head wear out in less time.

The exception to the basic rule

1. Although we have been made to understand the required norm. This is very applicable. Although it is important to understand that to every rule, there are exceptions. This exception can also be seen with how often you should replace your toothbrush head. Here are some exceptions to the basic 12 to 16 weeks rule.
2. Whenever you notice your toothbrush head brittle is worn out. This tends to happen often because of the increased brushing power of electric toothbrushes.
3. Whenever another individual mistakenly uses your toothbrush. This is a good ground to change your toothbrush head. This is because as much as there is love in sharing, it is very unpleasant to share germs.
4. Falling sick is another very good ground to replace your electric toothbrush head. This can happen earlier than the normal 12 to 16 weeks. When treating an oral infection, it is best to swap out your toothbrush head to avoid reinfecting yourself.
5. Exceptions should also come for children about how often they should replace their toothbrush heads. Children tend to be carefree and, as such, chew on their brushes. This makes them wear out faster than adults, herby making it a good ground to replace it earlier than stipulated.
6. If you do not brush gently as expected when using the electric toothbrush, it is expected that the toothbrush head will wear out faster. This is another ground to having your toothbrush head replaced earlier than normal.

A lot of people have contrary opinions towards these exceptions. They only feel the right time to replace them is whenever the brittle on the toothbrush head has all fallen out. However, this isn’t the case. Here, we will briefly run you through some of the importance of changing your electric toothbrush head.

The importance of replacing your toothbrush head often.

1. Bacterial and viral infections are some of the leading causes of death in the world. Suppose you are wondering how this relates to replacing your toothbrush head. Just relax. Well, a toothbrush can become a vector that could transmit bacteria and viruses once exposed to an infected person. In order to reduce the risk of being infected, changing the toothbrush head is your best bet to remaining infection-free.
2. Electric toothbrushes are no different from the other types of brushes; there are millions of germs flying around us. Each time we clean our toothbrushes and put them where they belong, there are chances that the bristles must have been exposed to germs. Reusing the infected toothbrush for a long time could weaken our immune response to fighting the oral infections caused by the germs.
3. The effectiveness of the toothbrush drops after a long period of regular usage. When the toothbrush heads are not changed in due time, it can reduce the ability to remove plaques from the teeth. This could result in the growth of cavities, gum infections, and other various dental problems.
4. The bristles of the toothbrush head weaken from exposure to fluoride and water. This causes the bristles to wear and tear faster.

Tips for changing your toothbrush head

Change is the most constant thing. Changing your toothbrush head is as important as changing your underwear daily. Here are some tips to help enhance the process of changing your toothbrush head.

1. Buy the toothbrush heads in bunches. Buying the toothbrush head in large quantity might seem like a waste of money to you. Having extra toothbrushes at your own disposal could encourage you to replace the used ones regularly.
2. Set reminders on your calendars whenever you replace a toothbrush head. This will help you keep accurate track of the last time you replaced your toothbrush head. It helps you develop the habit of changing your toothbrushes regularly.

Caring for your Electric Toothbrush

Caring for your electric toothbrush could help lessen the how often the parts wear and tear. Irrespective of the appropriate change period, the toothbrush head also requires care for better oral health. Here are some guidelines to help you maintain excellent oral health and keep your toothbrush head in good condition when in use.

Here are some of the tips to help maintain the quality of your electric toothbrush:

1. Store the toothbrush in a cool and dry place after usage. When keeping the toothbrush, it should be placed in an upright position. 
2. Do not cover your toothbrush all the time. Although covering the toothbrush after usage seems like a great idea, but covering it all the time isn’t healthy. Covering the toothbrush frequently could trap moisture and allow the bacteria to grow. Instead, you can cover your toothbrush when you travel to avoid particles from getting into the bristles.
3. Soak the toothbrush head in warm water and salt often. This is a local method that helps to remove germs from the bristles. You can also soak your toothbrush head in hot water for some minutes. This method is also effective in keeping your toothbrush in good condition.
4. Always rinse your toothbrush after use. Removing leftover toothpaste and particles will prevent the build-up of fluoride that could tend to damage the bristles at a faster rate.

It helps to get the most out of your toothbrushes when you take care of them. This process of care would help to limit how fast the brush would wear. And also, remember that it is better to always have a toothbrush head at your disposal. The best way to keep up with this routine of changing your toothbrush head is to always have a ready extra. Buying in bulk is your best bet to save more. 

In conclusion, it is best to replace the head of an electric toothbrush once every 12 to 16 weeks to maintain good oral hygiene.