The life span of the average toothbrush is about 2 – 3 months. So change your toothbrush at the beginning of each season. (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring)

Toothbrushes just simply wear out after all that repetitive use morning, noon and night. The bristles breakdown and lose their effectiveness in getting into all those tricky corners around your teeth.

The other reason to change them regularly is that they are a breeding ground for germs, fungus and bacteria which after a while can build up to significant levels.

They can also spread cold and flu viruses through families when stored together, by infecting adjacent toothbrushes.

Toothbrushes also harbour the little bugs that cause cold sores and ulcers. If you are susceptible to ulcers and cold sores you should also change your toothbrush more regularly to avoid re-infecting other parts of the mouth and possibly other members of the family.

After using a toothbrush shake it vigorously under tap water and store it in an upright position, allowing it to dry out. Try and keep your toothbrush from touching others when it is stored.