Practical tips to make your toothbrush last longer and cut landfill waste

A Guardian guide sets out ways to extend the life of both electric and manual toothbrushes and to reduce the amount sent to landfill. Electric handles contain batteries that will degrade if treated poorly; Gyve Safavi, co‑founder of electric toothbrush maker Suri, advises not to charge frequently and to “charge it overnight and leave it.

Don’t charge it again until it goes out.” Keeping heads clean also matters: Dr Alan McCaffrey and Dr Nicole Khalife recommend rinsing heads in hot water, storing them upright to air dry, avoiding solid travel caps at home, and using a ventilated pouch when travelling. The guide also notes the body of the brush can collect calcified toothpaste and should be wiped and dried.

Technique affects bristle life as well as dental health. Dentists quoted in the piece say a gentle circular motion is better than pressing hard, and electric brushes can help prevent over‑brushing. Barty Walsh of Ordo says if you are going through heads faster than two to three months, “this is a sign you may need to change your brushing technique.” The article states bristles on both electric and manual brushes typically degrade at the same rate, with an expected lifespan of about three months when used twice a day.

Knowing when to replace a brush is important: splayed bristles or a battery that no longer holds charge are signals to dispose responsibly.

Key Topics

Health, Toothbrush, Electric Toothbrush, Battery, Bristles, Suri