When you’re sick, it is good manners to try and keep from spreading your illness to other people in your proximity. So, once you have recovered, it’s a good idea to replace your toothbrush with a new one. It’s just good toothbrush etiquette.
Toothbrushes can hang onto bacteria and germs even after you’ve healed. This means that they can transfer whatever you’ve had to others, and it doesn’t take an accidental swapping of toothbrushes to accomplish. Whether you are married, have children, or are simply sharing an apartment, most people have roommates of some kind that will share the bathroom. If you are not already color coding your toothbrushes, you might want to consider this as a way to keep from accidentally using another person’s toothbrush. Apart from that, keep your toothbrushes in their own isolated area away from other toothbrushes, but realize that it only takes a microscopic water droplet to transfer a cold, flu, virus, bacteria, germ, etc. As you are probably aware, bathrooms are replete with with flying water droplets.
Apart from the billions of germs in the world, there over 200 cold viruses alone just floating around at any one time. Be a considerate roommate and do the right thing. Buy a fresh new, color-coded, soft-bristled toothbrush once you are well again. Your family and friends will thank you for it.
If you’d like more information about teeth brushing and your oral health, call Drs. Ferguson and Batra and our team at Ferguson & Associates, DDS. You can make an appointment at: 704-786-8317, or come by our office in Concord, North Carolina.