Dental expert warns of toothbrush sharing dangers

Posted by Joanne Mellor

One of the UK’s leading dental experts has warned of the dangers posed to healthcare by sharing toothbrushes.

Recent research conducted by the British Dental Health Foundation ahead of National Smile Month found 25 per cent of people think the most disgusting bad habit is to use somebody else’s toothbrush and not tell them.

Dr Nigel Carter, chief executive of the body, expressed surprise that the percentage was not higher, as sharing brushes can lead to illness and disease.

“There are many hundreds of different bacteria and viruses in the mouth and people sharing a toothbrush could be passing these on to others,” he said.

The specialist also noted people should look to change their toothbrush around once every three months and make sure nobody else borrows it.

Last month, prosthodontist Michael Lenchner told the Huffington Post that individuals are not spending long enough cleaning their teeth and gums each day.