When to replace electric toothbrush head

Using an electric toothbrush is a wise move when it comes to oral health. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends swapping out your toothbrush every three to four months, but what about the replacement heads for a powered toothbrush?

Keep reading for insight into when to replace an electric toothbrush head, why it's important to change it out regularly, and signs it's time for a new one.

Why it's important to replace your electric toothbrush head regularly

Since toothbrushes live in the bathroom, work inside the mouth, and spend much of their time damp, they can harbor bacteria. And over time, the bristles can wear down, making them less effective.

So replacing your electric toothbrush head is about hygiene and effectiveness. You want it to be clean and you want it to do a good job cleaning.

Signs it's time to replace your electric toothbrush head

How do you know when to replace your toothbrush head? Look for the signs:

• Frayed or bent bristles. See if your electric brush head has visible wear and tear, like frayed, splayed, or bent bristles, which can impact how well it cleans your teeth.

• Discoloration or staining. If the bristles are discolored or stained, they've probably run their course.

• Stuck-on particles. A toothbrush head with particles stuck on the plastic or within the bristles that affect the shape or simply won't come out should be replaced.

How often should you replace your electric toothbrush head?

The general recommendation of when to replace your electric toothbrush head is every three to four months — the same goes for regular manual toothbrushes. But if yours has any of the above signs, you can swap it out sooner.

Some health experts also recommend throwing out your toothbrush or changing the brush head after being sick to avoid reinfecting yourself or passing the illness to other people who live with you.

Manufacturer recommendations

Go with what the toothbrush manufacturer recommends. Most brands (including quip) suggest replacing an electric toothbrush head every three months.

But there might be exceptions. For instance, those with silicone bristles might not need to be replaced as often because the material resists bacterial growth.

Personal oral care habits

Consider your personal oral care habits too. If you brush your teeth more than twice a day, your electric toothbrush head might wear down sooner than later.

Extending the life of your electric toothbrush head

To extend the life of a new toothbrush head, try not to brush too hard, which can warp, bend, or otherwise damage the bristles. Certain electric toothbrushes do much of the hard work for you, so vigorous brushing really isn't needed.

Going easy can help your toothbrush last as long as it's supposed to — but you should still change it every three to four months.

See our blog for tips on how to brush with an electric toothbrush.

The risks of using an old electric toothbrush head

The main risks of continuing to use an electric toothbrush head past its expiration date have to do with efficiency and gum irritation.

• Reduced cleaning efficiency. You don't have to take it from us. Multiple studies have shown that an old, worn-out toothbrush (or head) doesn't work at plaque removal and tooth decay prevention as a new toothbrush.

• Potential for gum irritation. The shape, height, and configuration of toothbrush bristles are intentional — they're supposed to gently and efficiently clean your teeth. When the bristles are all out of whack, they could poke or scratch your gums and cause irritation.

How to choose the right replacement head for your electric toothbrush

When buying a replacement brush head for your powered toothbrush, make sure to get one that's compatible with the toothbrush handle and works for your unique needs.

Compatible replacement heads

Most electric toothbrush heads aren't universal, so double-check that the heads will fit your handle before buying anything. In most cases, you need to get replacement heads from the same brand that made the toothbrush. And brands often make multiple toothbrush models, so the head will likely be exclusive to the model you have.

Soft bristles (always), especially for sensitive teeth

You’ve probably seen a range of bristles strengths (soft, medium, hard). At quip, our electric toothbrush replacement heads for quip Ultra, 360, and the original sonic brush feature soft bristles — extra soft available here — since these bristles are proven to effectively remove plaque while reducing the negative effects of harsh brushing.

Where to buy replacement heads for your electric toothbrush

The best place to buy electric toothbrush replacement heads is directly from the manufacturer — or wherever you bought your electric toothbrush.

quip has electric toothbrushes and compatible electric brush head refills available on our website. You can also get quip products at Target, Walmart, Amazon, and other retailers.

Sources:

American Dental Association (ADA). (2022). Toothbrushes.

Pradeep S, et al. (2022). A Prospective Study on Assessment of Microbial Contamination of Toothbrushes and Methods of Their Decontamination. Cureus, 14(10), e30155. doi.org/10.7759/cureus.30155

Cleveland Clinic. (2020). Should You Throw Away Your Toothbrush After Being Sick?. Health Essentials.

Rebane I, et al. (2023). Microbial growth and adhesion of Escherichia coli in elastomeric silicone foams with commonly used additives. Sci Rep 13, 8541 (2023). doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35239-9

Conforti NJ, et al. (2003). An investigation into the effect of three months' clinical wear on toothbrush efficacy: results from two independent studies. The Journal of clinical dentistry, 14(2), 29–33.