Don't Forget to Replace Power Brush Heads

We have all been taught to change out our manual toothbrushes every 3 months, but how many of us think about changing our power toothbrush heads? Patients often assume the brush heads on power toothbrushes don't need to be changed until they stop working. Not so! Most manufacturers recommend changing brush heads at the same interval of 3 months whenever toothbrush bristles begin to show wear. Some power brushes include an "indicator bristle" that loses color as tie elapses. Germs accumulate on and in between the bristles of a toothbrush and no matter how well a brush is cleaned, bacteria harbor in and around the filaments. Sanitizers that are designed to kill 99.9% of bacteria have been incorporated into many rechargeable toothbrushes, but they do not stop the normal wear and tear of bristles. As dental hygienists, it is our responsibility to educate the public about the need for systematic changing power toothbrush heads in order to ensure oral health and effective plaque removal.