{"id":96906,"date":"2017-01-16T10:22:33","date_gmt":"2017-01-16T18:22:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/?p=96906"},"modified":"2017-01-16T10:28:50","modified_gmt":"2017-01-16T18:28:50","slug":"when-to-change-out-toothbrush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fabfitfun.com\/magazine\/when-to-change-out-toothbrush\/","title":{"rendered":"How Often Should You Change Out Your Toothbrush?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ah, the toothbrush. For a tiny, plastic toiletry, it really is loaded with emotion. You wouldn\u2019t dare have headed to that important job interview without its help. Heck, you can’t head to brunch without using it. And every great love begins with the same sheepish statement: \u201cI bought you a toothbrush to keep at my place.\u201d<\/p>\n

But at some point, you\u2019re going to need to replace it because…hygiene.\u00a0But when exactly should you toss it?<\/p>\n

The American Dental Association<\/a>\u00a0recommends changing out your toothbrush every three to four\u00a0months. They also suggest examining the bristles often for signs of wear and replacing earlier if the brush bristles become frayed.<\/p>\n

If that doesn’t have you convinced, studies also show that the microorganisms found on toothbrushes could cause infection — both in the mouth and in other parts of the body. Your toothbrush can even contain strains of viruses and bacteria that cause the common cold.<\/p>\n

But before you run to the bathroom in horror, here\u00a0are a few things\u00a0you can do\u00a0to keep your toothbrush at its cleanest before it gets the boot:<\/p>\n