Replacing your child’s toothbrush is just as important as establishing good healthy patterns for oral care. It is very important that your kids brush and floss their teeth daily. However, if their toothbrushes are not replaced regularly, they cannot take care of their oral care will decline. Not only do you need to replace old toothbrushes, but you also have to make sure toothbrushes are properly cleaned and stored between uses to ensure that you get the most out of your child’s toothbrush.
Your child’s toothbrush needs to replaced often to ensure that they can maintain good oral care. Generally, dentists agree that toothbrushes should be replaced every three months. When bristles get worn down, toothbrushes can no longer effectively clean in the corners between teeth which leads to cavities and gum disease. Generally, children should get new toothbrushes more often than adults, because their toothbrushes can wear down quicker. Aside from the three-month rule of thumb, the true litmus test of a toothbrush is how it looks. If the bristles are becoming frayed or worn down, it is time to bring out a new toothbrush. It is also a good idea to replace toothbrushes that have been exposed to sickness. If your child gets the flu, strep throat, or another ailment, replacing their toothbrush can help avoid reexposure or exposing other family members to the disease.
Nowadays, many toothbrushes come with colored bristles that are designed to fade as the toothbrush gets worn down. However, other families use dental appointments to keep track of toothbrush replacement. If you change toothbrushes after each dental visit, you only need to change brushes halfway between visits to ensure that your child uses four brushes a year. Other families use the seasons as a way of keeping track of toothbrush replacement. That way their kids have a summer, fall, winter, and spring toothbrush and can easily track toothbrush replacement.
Aside from replacing toothbrushes every three months, there are a few ways to make sure your child’s toothbrush is properly taken care of. First, it is important to make sure toothbrushes are dried after use. Also, make sure toothbrush heads do not touch when they are stored. There are many toothbrushes holders designed to keep toothbrush heads away from each other. When traveling, it is recommended that you either pack a travel toothbrush or a plastic toothbrush holder that protects the bristles from being flattened in transit.
All Star Dental in Chicago serves kids and families with a variety of dental services. If you are looking to schedule your child for a bi-yearly dental exam, schedule an appointment at one of our five offices.
