Every Three Months
Many dental professionals recommend changing your toothbrush about every three months, and the American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that you replace your toothbrush approximately every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed.
That's because, no matter what type of toothbrush you use, its bristles can become frayed and worn and may lose their effectiveness. And clinical research shows that a new toothbrush can remove more plaque than one that's worn out, ensuring that your brush is working its hardest to help keep your teeth clean and healthy. For that reason, Oral-B toothbrushes and toothbrush heads contain blue Indicator® bristles that fade to signal when to replace them.
After Illness
While a toothbrush like Oral-B CrossAction® Vitalizer PLUS features antimicrobial bristle protection* to help keep brush bristles clean between brushing for up to 90 days, these bristles do not kill bacteria in the mouth, protect you against disease or prevent you from getting sick. So be sure to change your brush regularly for maximum effectiveness and to practice diligent hygiene, despite the type of toothbrush you're using.
* ADA Statement on Toothbrush Care: Cleaning, Storage and Replacement. Council on Scientific Affairs, November 2005. http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/positions/statements/toothbrush.asp
*Oral-B CrossAction Vitalizer with Anti-Microbial Bristle Protection inhibits microbial growth that may affect the bristles. The bristles do not kill bacteria in the mouth or protect you against disease. Always clean the product thoroughly after use.