Ever use someone else's toothbrush? You may think twice about doing it again after reading this:
• Toothbrushes can be a source of repeated dental infections.
• Toothbrushes can cause a bacteremia (bacteria entering the bloodstream) that may result in an endocarditis (a heart infection).
• Toothbrushes can be a breeding ground, harbor and transmit viruses and bacteria.
• Toothbrushes can the herpes simplex virus for up to one week.
• Gingival [gum] inflammation can be reduced by changing toothbrushes biweekly.
So, still think it's sexy to share a toothbrush? How about sharing food? Kissing? Certain bacteria can be transmitted from site-to-site in the mouth via dental instruments
(that's why all dental instruments are either disposable or sterilizable)
or from person-to-person sharing someone else's eating utensil. In juvenile periodontitis, virulent bacteria can move from an infected site to an uninfected site in the same mouth.
Research has demonstrated that certain oral bacteria:
• has been transmitted between spouses
• can be transmitted between parents and children
• can be transmitted from dogs to children
• thought to be localized to specific sites in the mouth, can, in fact, be migratory.
As a dentist, I would not advocate that you stop sampling/sharing a scrumptious sample or two at a four-star restaurant. But, as a dentist, I can advocate that everyone maintain good dental health not only for themselves, but for those they love, too.
How does this relate to oral hygiene? As far as ridding toothbrushes of bacteria, soaking them in a mouth rinse containing essential oils for 20 minutes kills 100% of the bacteria on the bristles. Ultraviolet light treatment also sanitizes toothbrushes. But when researchers* tested the efficacy of using a toothpaste containing a common disinfectant compound - triclosan - they found little benefit when it came to eliminating the offending bacteria attached to the toothbrush bristles. That's important, especially if you are battling with halitosis (bad breath).
So what can you do about bacterial contamination from toothbrushes? Soak them in a suitable mouthwash, expose them to ultraviolet light, or from a practical stance, change them frequently. As for kissing someone, the benefits certainly outweigh the risks …if you have an inkling as to their periodontal status (sorry, could not resist)!
Here is an interesting dental question. If you or your significant friend forgets to bring a toothbrush, would a dentist feel it is better to use someone else's toothbrush, or not brush your teeth? As a dentist, I would prefer that you not use their toothbrush, but brush your teeth with a “temporary” toothbrush, such as a 2” x 2” gauze wrapped around your index finger – which you would use as a toothbrush. Do not use toothpaste. The yellow film that you will notice on the gauze is the dental plaque. Dental plaque needs to be removed. A goal of dentists is to help guide you to maintain an oral cavity that is as “plaque free” as possible.
For more information on when it is time to change your toothbrush, refer to the Bad Breath Page on our website: http://www.themanhattandentist.com/badbreath.php
Elliot Davis, DDS
80 5th Ave. Suite #1607
New York, NY 10011
(212) 645-9255
TheManhattanDentist@gmail.com
http://www.themanhattandentist.com
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