To share a toothbrush: is it raw?

Certainly using an instrument that dislodges plaque, tartar and food from someone else seems disgusting – but really uses his partner's toothbrush. this wrong? Aside from the critical factor, is the use of another person's toothbrush more likely to make you sick than to kiss you?

Here's what an expert says:

The reason to share a toothbrush is rude

Exchanging saliva during a prep session is very different from using another person's toothbrush, says Dr. John Grbic, DMD of Columbia University.

"When you brush your teeth, you actually disrupt the bacteria," he told Men's Health. "Studies show that 100 million bacteria will adhere to the toothbrush."

There is a good chance that someone uses his toothbrush to share his plaque or bacteria from periodontal diseases.

But sharing a toothbrush does not mean you'll get sick

It's possible, but unlikely, that you contract a periodontal disease such as gingivitis to someone else's toothbrush that suffers, says Grbic.

The bacteria can be transferred to your mouth, but there is a good chance that the organisms do not like your mouth. Without a hospitable environment, the bacteria will not grow and will not form a colony. In addition, many toothpastes include sodium lauryl sulphate, which kills bacteria to further reduce risk.

However, your risk of getting a viral infection, such as herpes or Epstein-Barr, which causes mono, is higher, says Grbic. But these can also be captured by kisses.

The sure way to share a toothbrush

Of course, it's always best to use your own toothbrush, but what if you're on vacation without this trusty Oral-B? Grbic says that you can safely share a toothbrush by cleaning it first.

"Turn it around in Listerine," he advises. If not, you can use peroxide if you do not have mouthwash – be sure to clean it for at least 15 to 30 seconds.