If you can’t remember the last time you bought a toothbrush, you’re way too close. Experts are warning that “reusing the same old toothbrush” is a major health risk, opening the door to everything from gum pain to heart disease.
A dental expert puts it this way: your toothbrush is your “first line of defense.” You’re not just brushing away leftover food; you’re stopping a “biological chain reaction” where germs travel from your mouth to your heart.
Your mouth has about 700 types of bacteria. When you use an old, frayed brush, you’re not cleaning them away. They stick to your gums, form plaque, and cause inflammation. This inflammation is what lets them into your bloodstream.
Once they’re in, they can mess with your body’s sugar management (the “vicious cycle” of diabetes) and stiffen your arteries (atherosclerosis), which is terrible for your heart. People with gum disease are nearly twice as likely to have heart issues.
So, break up with your old brush. The rule is to replace it every three months. The bristles on your old one are shot, and they can’t get between your teeth. It’s a simple step to keep your “gatekeeper” working.