Many often wonder if sharing their toothbrush with their spouse or close friend/sibling is right or wrong. There are several arguments on this topic. On one hand, some feel they can share their toothbrushes with their spouses and do not see the reason why they shouldn’t since they share more intimate things. On the other hand, some are of the opinion that their toothbrush is a no go area for any other person and sharing such is absolutely disgusting.
From a dental point of view, the following are reasons why you shouldn’t share your toothbrush with anyone.
- Not sharing your toothbrush is crucial in effective tooth brushing. This is because dentists recommend changing your toothbrush every 3 months. It is assumed that the toothbrush is effective for this period. If you don’t share your toothbrush, you can be sure it is effective for this period of time as against if it is being shared with another individual.
- Transmission of infection: the mouth houses several bacteria and viruses which could be passed on to others by sharing toothbrushes.
- Risk of Hepatitis/HIV: sometimes the gums bleed while brushing. Sharing a toothbrush with a person who has Hepatitis or someone who is HIV positive puts one at risk of contracting the virus.
Although mix ups sometimes occur such as when toothbrushes are kept in the same place and probably of the same color, it is important to ensure that you separate your toothbrush. You can make it easier by assigning different colors to each individual/member of the household to avoid mix ups.
Remember to stay healthy and pay attention to your oral health.
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