How Often Should You Replace Your Child’s Toothbrush?
There are two types of children.
The child whose toothbrush still looks suspiciously pristine after weeks of “brushing”.
And the child who can turn a perfectly respectable toothbrush into something resembling a tiny toilet brush in approximately four days.
Which makes the standard advice about when to replace a toothbrush slightly less straightforward when kids are involved.
So rather than simply marking a date on the calendar, here’s a much more useful way to decide: look at the brush.
The quick answer
As a general guide, toothbrushes should be replaced about every three to four months.
But with children—particularly toddlers—you may need to replace them sooner.
If the bristles are frayed, flattened, splayed or heavily chewed, don't wait for the three-month mark. The condition of the toothbrush matters because damaged bristles won't clean as effectively.
So if you've been Googling “how often replace kids toothbrush?”, think of three to four months as the maximum guide, rather than a challenge to see if the brush can survive that long.
The 10-second toothbrush check
Next time you're standing beside your child while they brush, have a quick look at the bristles.
KEEP IT if the bristles are still upright, reasonably even and in good condition.
REPLACE IT if they're spreading sideways, flattened, badly chewed or looking generally exhausted by life.
Essentially, if the toothbrush looks like it's had a harder week than you have, it's probably time.
“But we only bought that toothbrush!”
Welcome to toddlers. And husbands!
If you're wondering when to change your kid's toothbrush, age isn't the only consideration. How your child uses their toothbrush makes an enormous difference.
Some little ones brush beautifully.
Others bite down on the head and drag it through their teeth like they're trying to remove bark from a tree.
Chewing can cause bristles to splay much faster, which means a chewed toothbrush may need replacing well before the usual three-to-four-month timeframe.
That doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with the toothbrush. Toddlers explore with their mouths and chewing can simply become part of their brushing routine.
Five signs the toothbrush has finished its shift
Don't worry about counting exact days. Replace your child's toothbrush if you notice:
-
Bristles sticking out sideways
Once the neat little brush head starts looking more like a sunburst, it's ready to go. -
Flattened bristles
If your child presses hard while brushing, the bristles may flatten surprisingly quickly. -
Lots of chewing damage
A few bent bristles aren't a crisis. A brush head that's been absolutely demolished is another story. -
The toothbrush is damaged
Cracks, splinters or other damage to the handle mean it's time for a new one. -
It's reached around three to four months
Even if it still looks okay, it's sensible to start fresh.
If they're destroying toothbrushes quickly, check how they're brushing
A toothbrush that consistently looks worn after only a short time can tell you something useful.
Your child may be brushing with far too much pressure.
Brushing harder doesn't equal cleaner teeth. Gentle, thorough brushing is what we're aiming for.
For younger children, supervising brushing gives you a chance to spot aggressive scrubbing—or the considerably more common toddler technique of brush for six seconds, chew toothbrush, wander away.
If you're concerned about your child's brushing technique, gums or teeth, ask your dentist for advice specific to them.
Should you replace a toothbrush after your child has been sick?
This is one of those pieces of advice that gets passed around a lot, but you don't necessarily need to automatically throw away a toothbrush every time your child has a cold.
The Australian Dental Association's general recommendation is to replace toothbrushes every three months, or when the bristles become worn. If your child has had a particular illness or has specific health considerations, your dentist or doctor can advise whether replacing it sooner is appropriate.
Which is welcome news if you have multiple school-aged children between May and August and someone appears to have a runny nose permanently.
A ridiculously easy way to remember
If remembering when everyone last received a new toothbrush requires accessing a part of your brain already occupied by school notices, sports training, passwords and what you're supposed to bring to Book Week...
Tie it to something you already do.
You could change the family's toothbrushes at the beginning of each school term, for example, then simply check their condition in between. Or even handier, subscribe to our toothbrush subscription
For younger toothbrush-chewers, you'll probably still need to replace them sooner—but at least you've got a rough family rhythm.
What should you look for in the replacement?
For children, choose a toothbrush that suits the size of their mouth, has a comfortable handle and soft bristles.
Our Boo Collective Kids Bamboo Toothbrushes have a smaller brush head and soft Nylon 4 bristles designed for little mouths, with a comfortable round bamboo handle.
And if your child has grown out of a kids' toothbrush, don't automatically assume they need firmer bristles. Older children and teenagers can move to an adult-sized toothbrush while continuing to use soft bristles.
Before you throw a bamboo toothbrush away…
One advantage of a bamboo handle is that it can have a small second life once it's retired from tooth duty.
Clearly mark the old brush and use it for fiddly cleaning jobs such as around taps, tile grout, shoe soles or other tiny places that somehow collect an impressive amount of grime.
Just make sure it never finds its way back into the family toothbrush holder.
Nobody needs that story.
The Boo bottom line
So, how often should you replace a child's toothbrush?
Use around three to four months as your guide, but let the bristles make the final call.
If they're still neat and doing their job, great.
If they're flattened, frayed or your toddler has chewed them into oblivion, replace the toothbrush sooner.
No spreadsheet required.