Sharing a toothbrush

[lucas]

CDC & ADA both say:
Do not share toothbrushes. The exchange of body fluids that such sharing would foster places toothbrush sharers at an increased risk for infections, a particularly important consideration for persons with compromised immune systems or infectious diseases. Links:
CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/factsheets/toothbrushes.htm
ADA: http://www.ada.org/1887.aspx

And from the British:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-388236/Danger-humble-toothbrush.html

 

[lustergirl]

You live with Dexter?

No but I am a forensic investigator.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I'll admit it- DH and I share a toothbrush

We have an electric toothbrush and we're both too lazy to change out the head every time we use it, so we just share one. I guess when you really think about it, it is gross, but we do rinse it really well, its not like there are food particles I can see stuck to the toothbrush or anything.

I guess we are really not germafobes, and a challenged immune system is a healthy immune system, right?

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

6 people on this board are frequently sharing toothbrushes? WHY, just WHY???? (yes, 5 are needed people!!)

If you can't afford a toothbrush, I will mail you one for free! PM me and I will help you.

This is just not normal.

 

[Diznygrl]

Out of pure instinct I immediately voted "NO NEVER!!" before I saw the "no spouse to share" option. So yeah, I'm not married, but there would be no way I'd share a toothbrush even if I was. I can't think of any kind of "emergency" situation that would make me use someone else's toothbrush. If there wasn't time to go to a drug store I'd use some toothpaste and my index finger or pop a Certs.

 

[aprilgail2]

6 people on this board are frequently sharing toothbrushes? WHY, just WHY???? (yes, 5 are needed people!!)

If you can't afford a toothbrush, I will mail you one for free! PM me and I will help you.

This is just not normal.

I know every time I go to the dentist for a cleaning they give you that goody bag of a tooth brush, toothpaste and floss- so there should be no excuses for anyone not having their own toothbrush LOL. I save those for when I go on vacation, we take them and use them on vacation and just toss them at the end of vacation.

 

[Soben]

Yeah, in an ideal world you'd never forget your toothbrush. But when you do, your choice is to share or go to sleep w/scummy teeth. So we've shared.

I share food with DH and kiss him so I don't think it's much different than that. I'm kind of surprised by the negative reaction.

Sharing food (or a toothbrush) is something I'd only do with him. I won't even share with my own kids. And you know how when you go out to eat and admire your friend's dessert and she offers you a bit? Nope.

To each his own.

 

[Nancyg56]

Have not read any of the responses yet but I am so happy about the poll results and have to show my DH. He will often use my toothbrush and I get SO MAD. He will grab it "in the dark" or will use my if he throws his away or hasn't unpacked it from a trip or something. He thinks it's no big deal since we are married and doesn't get why I get so annoyed. It is just GROSS!

LOL! My DH hides his becasue he is positive I use it when he is not looking! FTR- we do not share toothbrushes, YUCK!

 

[Poohforyou]

Yeah, in an ideal world you'd never forget your toothbrush. But when you do, your choice is to share or go to sleep w/scummy teeth. So we've shared.

I share food with DH and kiss him so I don't think it's much different than that. I'm kind of surprised by the negative reaction.

Sharing food (or a toothbrush) is something I'd only do with him. I won't even share with my own kids. And you know how when you go out to eat and admire your friend's dessert and she offers you a bit? Nope.

To each his own.

I'd go to bed with crummy teeth, use my finger as a toothbrush or just rinse well with Listerine before I'd ever share with anyone including dh.

 

[JakeJenna]

6 people on this board are frequently sharing toothbrushes? WHY, just WHY???? (yes, 5 are needed people!!)

If you can't afford a toothbrush, I will mail you one for free! PM me and I will help you.

This is just not normal.

Until this thread I would not have even batted an eye at the thought. I never knew it was sociable unacceptable. I still won't bat an eye but ill get a good little chuckle when we share.

 

[aprilgail2]

I'd go to bed with crummy teeth, use my finger as a toothbrush or just rinse well with Listerine before I'd ever share with anyone including dh.

totally agree-- use my finger before sharing a toothbrush-I gag at the thought!!!!!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Yeah, in an ideal world you'd never forget your toothbrush. But when you do, your choice is to share or go to sleep w/scummy teeth. So we've shared.

I share food with DH and kiss him so I don't think it's much different than that. I'm kind of surprised by the negative reaction.

Sharing food (or a toothbrush) is something I'd only do with him. I won't even share with my own kids. And you know how when you go out to eat and admire your friend's dessert and she offers you a bit? Nope.

To each his own.

I share food with DH too, but he's not pre-chewing it for me. And yup, I kiss him too. But hopefully, he's at least brushed his teeth in some remotely recent past, and no, I don't want to share the instrument he used to rid his teeth of food, etc, when he did. Yes, to each his, or her, own.

I injured my finger recently...no biggie, but quite bloody...and hadn't brushed my teeth for several hours, so I swished with mouthwash while I scurried around collecting my shoes, cellphone, etc, and my mouth felt pretty refreshed while at the ER, without brushing. I'm with the others who'd use a finger/toothpaste before sharing a toothbrush.

I remember on Survivor when a tribe won A toothbrush and some other "luxury" items and how delighted they were to take turns brushing their teeth. In that situation would I share? Do I SOUND like someone who would go on Survivor?

 

[scrapquitler]

Inspired by the How I Met Your Mother episode.

Would you...do you share a toothbrush with your spouse?

Not under normal circumstances. I will say that there have been times where I grabbed the wrong one and used his without noticing, and I know he used mine once on vacation when he forgot his (and as soon as possible after we went out and bought new ones). It wasn't a big deal, andnot something we would normally do, but in some situations is rather brush my teeth with his toothbrush than not brush at all

 

[robinb]

I would have no problem using my DH's toothbrush in an emergency (and I have). It's really not a big deal for me.

 

[Imzadi]

I just saw this on Pinterest. What every toothbrush sharer needs:

A Toothbrush Sanitizer!

Available at Macy's:
http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/violight-toothbrush-sanitizer-zapi-solids?ID=691712