May 19, 2004

By: Carmen Henwood
Website: http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com

Dental Charity Issues Warning - Don’t Share Your Toothbrush

Recent research has led oral health charity the British Dental Health Foundation to renew its warning against the dangers of sharing your toothbrush.

Researchers from the University of Regensburg, in Germany have showed that hepatitis C could be transmitted by toothbrushes. The team examined patients with hepatitis C. 30 per cent of the infected patients tested positive for traces of the virus in their saliva before brushing their teeth, while 38 per cent tested positive in their saliva after brushing. About 40 per cent of the rinsing water used for the toothbrushes in the test tested positive for the virus.

The warning is important because a of the surprising results of a recent survey by the Foundation sponsored by Philips sonicare electric toothbrush.

The survey showed that, although 80 percent of us say we would never let anyone use our toothbrush, when prompted more one in three people admitted that they would let their partner use it. Between five and ten percent of people would let their brothers, sisters or parents use their brush. 25 out of the thousand-plus people surveyed even expressed their willingness to let a colleague or ‘the person from the night before’ use their own toothbrush.

British Dental Health Foundation Chief Executive Dr Nigel Carter said, It might seem kind to share your toothbrush with a close friend, but it’s a very bad idea. Research shows you can spread harmful germs. Even if you don’t let anyone else use your brush, you still need to replace it every three months to make sure germs don’t build up, and to keep your brushing as effective as possible. Other noteworthy scribbles, l@@k electric toothbrushes....for additional related info!

Author Notes:

Carmen Henwood contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  Everything you need to know to get a whiter, brighter smile!