How often should you replace your toothbrush?
Every 3 to 4 months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. That's the American Dental Association's advice, and it applies to everyone in the house. The ADA's consumer site, MouthHealthy, explains why: a worn toothbrush won't do as good a job of cleaning your teeth.
Three to four months goes by fast. Most people don't remember when they last opened a new brush, which is why a date and a calendar reminder help. Enter the date each brush was new, and the tool shows a replace-by window for each person:
| Brush was new on | Replace from | Replace by |
|---|---|---|
| January 15 | April 15 | May 15 |
| June 1 | September 1 | October 1 |
| November 30 | February 28 (29 in a leap year) | March 30 |
How often to change an electric toothbrush head
About every 3 months. The ADA's advice covers toothbrushes in general, and electric heads wear out too. Philips, for example, recommends replacing a Sonicare® brush head every three months of normal use (brushing twice a day), or when its blue indicator bristles wear out. Some Philips handles also flash a reminder at about that point.
The tool uses the same 3–4 month window for manual brushes and electric heads, with the calendar reminder at 3 months. If your brush maker suggests something different, follow the maker.
Signs your toothbrush is worn out
Don't wait for the date if the brush looks tired. The ADA says to replace it sooner if the bristles are visibly matted or frayed. Check for:
- Bristle tips bending over instead of standing straight
- Bristles splaying out past the edge of the brush head
- Flattened or matted bristles that don't spring back
- Faded indicator bristles on brushes that have them
If your bristles splay out within weeks, ask your dentist or hygienist to check your brushing pressure. The ADA's technique uses short, gentle strokes.
Should you replace your toothbrush after being sick?
Usually it isn't necessary. An ADA News article for dental teams says germs can stay on a toothbrush after an illness, but continuing to use it doesn't typically cause reinfection.
The same article does advise a new brush in some cases:
- When sick people share a toothbrush holder with others, replace all the brushes in that holder.
- When someone is severely immunocompromised.
- After a cold sore.
You can always replace a brush early if you prefer. Use the New today button for that person, and the reminders shift to the new date once you download a fresh calendar file.
How to look after your toothbrush
Good care keeps a brush cleaner between replacements. The ADA advises:
- Rinse it with tap water after brushing to remove toothpaste and debris.
- Store it upright and let it air-dry. If several brushes share a holder, keep them apart so they don't touch.
- Don't cover it or keep it in a closed container day to day. A damp, closed space helps germs grow more than open air does.
- Never share a toothbrush. Sharing passes germs and body fluids between people. That's a particular concern if someone has a cold or flu.
The same ADA article notes that some studies found hydrogen peroxide and UV light may reduce bacteria on toothbrushes, but toothbrush sanitizing hasn't been studied much. Rinsing and air-drying is enough for most people.
Toothbrushes for children
Children follow the same 3–4 month guide. Check their brushes often, and replace them as soon as the bristles look worn. The ADA says a child's toothbrush should have soft bristles and a head small enough to move easily around the child's mouth. The Kids Brushing Timer helps them brush for the full two minutes.
How this tool works
- Replace-by window. For each person, the window starts 3 months after the date the brush or head was new and ends at 4 months (ADA). If the start date is the 31st and the target month is shorter, the date moves to that month's last day.
- Status. On track means more than 14 days to go. Due soon means 14 days or less. Replace now means you're inside the 3–4 month window. Overdue means past 4 months.
- Calendar reminders. Add all to calendar downloads one .ics file with a repeating event for each person, every 3 months (
FREQ=MONTHLY;INTERVAL=3). Each event is all-day on the due date, with an alert at 9 AM the day before. If a brush is already past 3 months, the first reminder is today. Reminders that would fall on the 29th to 31st move to the 28th, so a 3-monthly repeat never skips a short month. Most calendar apps (Apple, Google, Outlook) can import .ics files. - When you replace a brush, tap New today, then download a new calendar file and delete the old event series. The calendar file can't update itself.
- Saving. Save to My Smile keeps the names, dates and brush types in this browser on this device. Nothing is sent to a server. Your My Smile page then shows the next due date.
- Share links carry only the dates and brush types, never the names.
The tool counts days on the calendar, not hours, so it isn't affected by daylight saving time changes. It can't see your bristles. Use the date as a reminder to look, and replace early if the brush is worn.
Pairing a fresh brush with good habits matters most. The Two-Minute Brushing Timer guides you through each part of your mouth.
Frequently asked questions
How often should you replace your toothbrush?
How often should I change my electric toothbrush head?
Should I replace my toothbrush after being sick?
Do kids need to replace their toothbrushes more often?
Sources
- American Dental Association. Toothbrushes (Oral Health Topics). updated August 2026. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Toothbrushes. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- American Dental Association (ADA News, Huddles). When should patients replace their toothbrushes?. Accessed October 26, 2026.
- Philips. How often should I replace my Philips Sonicare Brush Head. Accessed October 26, 2026.
Last reviewed by the Dental Health Time editorial team, against the sources above. How we review.