Toothbrush care Published Oct. 22, 2014 By Senior Airman Kaelyn Carrillos 87th Dental Squadron JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Have you ever wondered how often you should replace your toothbrush? The general response I receive in the dental treatment room is, "I throw mine away when the bristles fray out." That answer is incorrect. According to the American Dental Association, you should replace your toothbrush every three to four months. There are several reasons why you should replace your brush that often. Would you want to kiss a person who has strep throat? No! Why is that? Because strep throat is contagious. Your toothbrush harbors some of the same bacteria that can cause strep throat. Another way to care for your toothbrush is to never store your brush in a container. You may be thinking to yourself, "I just brought a bristle cover for when I travel." A cover for short trips is all right, but storing your toothbrush for a prolonged period of time will increase the likelihood of bacterial incubation and growth. Here's a brain teaser: when you misplace your toothbrush, like so many people do, is it okay to use your spouse's brush? Gross, no! Sorry, go buy a new one. The ADA discourages sharing toothbrushes due to the increased spread of bacteria and risk of infection. The last way to care for your brush I want to touch on is removing toothpaste or debris. After you brush you probably rinse the bristles, but do you inspect the brush for debris or remaining toothpaste that doesn't want to take a ride down the drain? If you don't already, you should. You need to rinse your brush thoroughly with tap water and position it in a standing position to allow optimal drying. If your brush is in the same container with another brush, make sure the bristles don't touch. This will prevent cross contamination. If you follow these guidelines, your brush will be happy and healthy, and best assist you in keeping your mouth healthy.