Teaching children about great oral hygiene can be fun, but it can also be somewhat overwhelming. Between chasing your child around the house and checking to make sure they actually brushed their teeth, you probably haven’t given much thought to how old their toothbrush is. However, this little detail makes a big difference in your little one’s oral health. Experts report that using an old toothbrush may be spreading bacteria around instead of clearing it away. Read on to find out how often you should be changing out your child’s toothbrush to keep their smile clean and healthy.
Old Toothbrushes & Oral Health Issues
The next time you see your child’s toothbrush, take a look at its bristles. It’s normal for them to become frayed, skewed, or somewhat discolored over time. However, recent studies demonstrate that bristles that look like this leave behind a considerable amount of plaque, bacteria, and food particles after brushing for a full two minutes. What’s more, bent bristles can trap and harbor bacteria, giving them the perfect place to grow uninterrupted. Then, they’re redeposited into your child’s mouth the next time they brush! These two factors of brushing with an old toothbrush lead to a much higher risk of:
- Bad breath
- Tooth discoloration
- Cavities
- Oral infections
- Gum disease
The Best Time to Change Your Child’s Toothbrush
Thankfully, you don’t have to constantly monitor the bristles on your child’s toothbrush to determine when you should replace it. After numerous studies and tests on the efficiency of toothbrushes over time, the American Dental Association recommends replacing a toothbrush:
- After three to four months of use
- When the bristles look frayed or discolored
- After recovering from a cold, the flu, or other sickness
Tips to Make Toothbrushing More Fun
Not only will regularly replacing your little one’s toothbrush help keep them healthy, but it can help get them excited about brushing as well! Changing the color of the toothbrush or which cartoon characters are on it can shake up your child’s dental routine to keep them engaged in their oral health. You may want to consider letting them choose their own toothbrush (that you approve of) so they can feel more responsible and in charge of their oral health.
Brushing for two minutes can feel like forever for children. To help them stay focused and in a good mood, try playing a catchy, up-beat song or read them an exciting book for two minutes while they brush. Sometimes, just a fun-colored timer is enough to keep them invested in brushing their teeth for the full length of time.
Great oral health is important, especially early in life. The great brushing habits and skills you teach your child now will help set them up for a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles.
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, we’re committed to helping the growing smiles of Randolph and the surrounding communities stay happy and strong for life. We recommend that children begin coming in for their routine checkups and cleanings before their first birthday to ensure their oral health is on track from the start. Our talented team is passionate about making appointments fun and educating both patients and their parents about all the best ways to take care of those precious smiles at home. To learn more, we can be contacted online or at (781) 767-7200.