Full Version: Spouses sharing toothbrushes
Can you list a few great reasons for why spouses shouldn't share a toothbrush? DH doesn't get the big deal, and I'm running out of hiding places for my brush.
The same reason you don't share toilet paper...
dude i have the same problem! it is so gross!! i can't even explain why.
QUOTE (Belle @ Feb 20 2008, 10:28 PM) 
Can you list a few great reasons for why spouses shouldn't share a toothbrush? DH doesn't get the big deal, and I'm running out of hiding places for my brush.
http://www.hashkafah.com/index.php?showtopic=43586
9
Ewww.
If you use something to get clean, that object is now infused with your dirty. You dont want to share toothbrushes or bath towels... bars of soap is a machlokes (since its an object that in and of itself emits clean).
If you use something to get clean, that object is now infused with your dirty. You dont want to share toothbrushes or bath towels... bars of soap is a machlokes (since its an object that in and of itself emits clean).
QUOTE (Nechama @ Feb 20 2008, 11:46 PM)
(since its an object that in and of itself emits clean).
Yeah soap can't get dirty. Even if you drop it on the floor. Its soap.
9
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1690784...Pubmed_RVDocSum
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4009096...Pubmed_RVDocSum
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=743769
Interesting.
QUOTE
Hepatitis C - contamination of toothbrushes: myth or reality?Lock G, Dirscherl M, Obermeier F, Gelbmann CM, Hellerbrand C, Knöll A, Schölmerich J, Jilg W.
Albertinenkrankenhaus Hamburg, 2nd Medical Department, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. guntram.lock@albertinen.de
Chronic hepatitis C patients are advised not to share toothbrushes, razors, nail-scissors or other personal articles that potentially may have been in contact with blood, with others. This study examines the contamination of toothbrushes in patients with chronic hepatitis C as a model for a possible unconventional way of transmission. In 30 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 2 mL of saliva (before and after toothbrushing) and the toothbrush rinsing water after toothbrushing were tested for HCV-RNA. Saliva before and after toothbrushing was positive for HCV-RNA in nine (30%) and 11 patients (36.7%), respectively. Twelve of the toothbrush rinsing water specimens (40%) tested HCV-RNA-positive. In six of these 12 patients, the 'native' saliva had been negative for HCV-RNA. Patients with HCV-RNA-positive toothbrush rinsing water showed no significant differences from those with negative rinsing water with respect to certain clinical, biochemical and virological parameters. In conclusion, our study demonstrates a contamination with HCV-RNA of a considerable portion of toothbrushes used by hepatitis C patients, suggesting at least a theoretical risk of infection by sharing these objects and strengthening the recommendations to take care of a clear separation of these personal care objects between patients and their household members.
Albertinenkrankenhaus Hamburg, 2nd Medical Department, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany. guntram.lock@albertinen.de
Chronic hepatitis C patients are advised not to share toothbrushes, razors, nail-scissors or other personal articles that potentially may have been in contact with blood, with others. This study examines the contamination of toothbrushes in patients with chronic hepatitis C as a model for a possible unconventional way of transmission. In 30 patients with chronic hepatitis C, 2 mL of saliva (before and after toothbrushing) and the toothbrush rinsing water after toothbrushing were tested for HCV-RNA. Saliva before and after toothbrushing was positive for HCV-RNA in nine (30%) and 11 patients (36.7%), respectively. Twelve of the toothbrush rinsing water specimens (40%) tested HCV-RNA-positive. In six of these 12 patients, the 'native' saliva had been negative for HCV-RNA. Patients with HCV-RNA-positive toothbrush rinsing water showed no significant differences from those with negative rinsing water with respect to certain clinical, biochemical and virological parameters. In conclusion, our study demonstrates a contamination with HCV-RNA of a considerable portion of toothbrushes used by hepatitis C patients, suggesting at least a theoretical risk of infection by sharing these objects and strengthening the recommendations to take care of a clear separation of these personal care objects between patients and their household members.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4009096...Pubmed_RVDocSum
QUOTE
1: J Epidemiol Community Health. 1985 Jun;39(2):123-8.Links
Hepatitis B infection in households of acute cases.Goh KT, Ding JL, Monteiro EH, Oon CJ.
Seroepidemiological studies conducted in 369 household contacts of 80 acute cases of hepatitis B in Singapore showed that asymptomatic chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) are the main source of acute hepatitis B infection. The HBs Ag prevalence rate in asymptomatic household members was 20% compared with a 6% prevalence for the general population. The majority of the household carriers (60%) were highly infectious with positive hepatitis e antigen (HBe Ag). The overall prevalence of HBV infection (with at least one HBV marker) of the household contacts was 40.7%. Spouses and parents of acute cases had a significantly higher prevalence of HBV infection than other members of the families. HBV prevalence rate showed no association with the household size. Factors associated with the risk of transmission of HBV infection included sharing of various personal and household articles, such as toothbrush, towel, handkerchief, clothing, razor, comb, bed and bedding. Sleeping in the same bedroom, eating together at meals, and sharing of eating and drinking utensils were not associated with an increased risk of transmission of infection. Follow-up studies six months later showed that 30% of the acute cases became chronic HBs Ag carriers (with 46% HBe Ag positive), thus providing an additional source of infection in the families, while 8% of the susceptible household members acquired asymptomatic HBV infection. Health education on the prevention of HBV transmission in the homes of acute cases should be based on sound epidemiological information. Household contacts of acute cases of hepatitis B should be routinely screened and the susceptible vaccinated against the disease as soon as possible.
Hepatitis B infection in households of acute cases.Goh KT, Ding JL, Monteiro EH, Oon CJ.
Seroepidemiological studies conducted in 369 household contacts of 80 acute cases of hepatitis B in Singapore showed that asymptomatic chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs Ag) are the main source of acute hepatitis B infection. The HBs Ag prevalence rate in asymptomatic household members was 20% compared with a 6% prevalence for the general population. The majority of the household carriers (60%) were highly infectious with positive hepatitis e antigen (HBe Ag). The overall prevalence of HBV infection (with at least one HBV marker) of the household contacts was 40.7%. Spouses and parents of acute cases had a significantly higher prevalence of HBV infection than other members of the families. HBV prevalence rate showed no association with the household size. Factors associated with the risk of transmission of HBV infection included sharing of various personal and household articles, such as toothbrush, towel, handkerchief, clothing, razor, comb, bed and bedding. Sleeping in the same bedroom, eating together at meals, and sharing of eating and drinking utensils were not associated with an increased risk of transmission of infection. Follow-up studies six months later showed that 30% of the acute cases became chronic HBs Ag carriers (with 46% HBe Ag positive), thus providing an additional source of infection in the families, while 8% of the susceptible household members acquired asymptomatic HBV infection. Health education on the prevention of HBV transmission in the homes of acute cases should be based on sound epidemiological information. Household contacts of acute cases of hepatitis B should be routinely screened and the susceptible vaccinated against the disease as soon as possible.
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=743769
QUOTE
Question
Subject: Sharing a toothbrush
Category: Health > Men's Health
Asked by: arkehoe-ga
List Price: $10.00 Posted: 06 Jul 2006 06:50 PDT
Expires: 05 Aug 2006 06:50 PDT
Question ID: 743769
Is sharing your tooth brush with your 20 year bed partner un hygenic?
We are otherwise healthy, neither terribly prone to cold type ailments
etc.
Answer
Subject: Re: Sharing a toothbrush
Answered By: tutuzdad-ga on 06 Jul 2006 07:15 PDT
Dear arkehoe-ga;
Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question. Most
dental professionals agree that sharing a toothbrush with someone else
is a really bad idea, not only from a hygienic standpoint but from a
medical standpoint as well.
Let’s face it, a toothbrush is used to wipe away the bacteria thriving
scum that develops on one’s teeth, gums and tongue. Since bacteria are
difficult to kill by merely rising the toothbrush, this is a very
ineffective means of cleaning it even though this is the method most
of us use. If you share someone’s toothbrush it is not illogical to
assume that you are introducing millions of their oral bacteria into
your own mouth and likewise leaving undesirable bacteria on the brush
for them.
Dental cavities are caused by bacteria called ‘streptococcus mutans’
that is contagious. Obviously there is increasing evidence that decay
and periodontal disease are both contagious diseases. The causative
bacteria can easily be passed from person to person by kissing and
sharing of utensils and oral hygiene tools. The transmission of cold
sores, herpes, canker sores, and fungus are some other disgusting
situations one can take steps to avoid by sticking to his own clean
toothbrush.
Just because you kiss a partner, sleep with them or occasionally taste
the pudding on their spoon are not reasonable justifications for using
their toothbrush. To do so is no different that putting a used Q-tips
in your ears or sharing their toilet paper. If you find yourself in a
rare position where you must use someone else’s toothbrush, you should
boil it first, or at the very least clean it first with a strong
antiseptic such as Listerine or Dr. Tichenor's.
I hope you find that my answer exceeds your expectations. If you have
any questions about my research please post a clarification request
prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga – Google Answers Researcher
INFORMATION SOURCES
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
http://www.cdc.gov/Oralhealth/infectioncon...oothbrushes.htm
ORAL HEALTH
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/oral_health.htm
NET WELLNESS
http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/32821.htm
DR. TICHENOR'S
http://www.drtichenor.com/main.html
LISTERINE
http://www.pfizerch.com/brand.aspx?id=298
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
Sharing toothbrush
Disease
Transmission
Bacteria
Hygiene
Subject: Sharing a toothbrush
Category: Health > Men's Health
Asked by: arkehoe-ga
List Price: $10.00 Posted: 06 Jul 2006 06:50 PDT
Expires: 05 Aug 2006 06:50 PDT
Question ID: 743769
Is sharing your tooth brush with your 20 year bed partner un hygenic?
We are otherwise healthy, neither terribly prone to cold type ailments
etc.
Answer
Subject: Re: Sharing a toothbrush
Answered By: tutuzdad-ga on 06 Jul 2006 07:15 PDT
Dear arkehoe-ga;
Thank you for allowing me to answer your interesting question. Most
dental professionals agree that sharing a toothbrush with someone else
is a really bad idea, not only from a hygienic standpoint but from a
medical standpoint as well.
Let’s face it, a toothbrush is used to wipe away the bacteria thriving
scum that develops on one’s teeth, gums and tongue. Since bacteria are
difficult to kill by merely rising the toothbrush, this is a very
ineffective means of cleaning it even though this is the method most
of us use. If you share someone’s toothbrush it is not illogical to
assume that you are introducing millions of their oral bacteria into
your own mouth and likewise leaving undesirable bacteria on the brush
for them.
Dental cavities are caused by bacteria called ‘streptococcus mutans’
that is contagious. Obviously there is increasing evidence that decay
and periodontal disease are both contagious diseases. The causative
bacteria can easily be passed from person to person by kissing and
sharing of utensils and oral hygiene tools. The transmission of cold
sores, herpes, canker sores, and fungus are some other disgusting
situations one can take steps to avoid by sticking to his own clean
toothbrush.
Just because you kiss a partner, sleep with them or occasionally taste
the pudding on their spoon are not reasonable justifications for using
their toothbrush. To do so is no different that putting a used Q-tips
in your ears or sharing their toilet paper. If you find yourself in a
rare position where you must use someone else’s toothbrush, you should
boil it first, or at the very least clean it first with a strong
antiseptic such as Listerine or Dr. Tichenor's.
I hope you find that my answer exceeds your expectations. If you have
any questions about my research please post a clarification request
prior to rating the answer. Otherwise I welcome your rating and your
final comments and I look forward to working with you again in the
near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.
Best regards;
Tutuzdad-ga – Google Answers Researcher
INFORMATION SOURCES
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL
http://www.cdc.gov/Oralhealth/infectioncon...oothbrushes.htm
ORAL HEALTH
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/oral_health.htm
NET WELLNESS
http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/32821.htm
DR. TICHENOR'S
http://www.drtichenor.com/main.html
LISTERINE
http://www.pfizerch.com/brand.aspx?id=298
SEARCH STRATEGY
SEARCH ENGINE USED:
Google ://www.google.com
SEARCH TERMS USED:
Sharing toothbrush
Disease
Transmission
Bacteria
Hygiene
Interesting.
As spouses you share a lot of things, is a toothbrush really that gross?
(my husband would never let me use his toothbrush but I think in a pinch it's not that terrible. then again he is sort of in the health care field.)
(my husband would never let me use his toothbrush but I think in a pinch it's not that terrible. then again he is sort of in the health care field.)
QUOTE (ruthie @ Feb 21 2008, 12:10 PM)
As spouses you share a lot of things, is a toothbrush really that gross?
Yes, it is.
Seeing this title makes me think that we've discussed just about everything possible at least once on H.com.
I agree that using your spouse's toothbrush is gross but to think that you're going to get some terrible disease from it, I disagree with that. The human body is equipped with B"H an immune system, that assuming is functioning optimally, is fighting off infections everyday and you have no clue that it's happening. A trip to the local grocery store probably has more bacteria and G-d knows what other micro-organisms growing there that it's frightening to think about. I'm not living in a bubble-just keep sensible hygience practices and you should be ok. For a few bucks, go buy your spouse another toothbrush
QUOTE (greentiger @ Feb 21 2008, 01:41 PM)
Seeing this title makes me think that we've discussed just about everything possible at least once on H.com.
I beg to differ.
9
[In response to the quoted answer in ceebee's post.]
I don't get it. If it's so bad to share toothbrushes because of the germs, how is it good to use your own toothbrush more than once?
I don't get it. If it's so bad to share toothbrushes because of the germs, how is it good to use your own toothbrush more than once?
QUOTE (Kalashnikover_Rebbe @ Feb 20 2008, 10:29 PM)
The same reason you don't share toilet paper...
Hmm, that was my thought when I saw the thread ...
QUOTE (accolade @ Feb 22 2008, 04:22 AM)
[In response to the quoted answer in ceebee's post.]
I don't get it. If it's so bad to share toothbrushes because of the germs, how is it good to use your own toothbrush more than once?
I don't get it. If it's so bad to share toothbrushes because of the germs, how is it good to use your own toothbrush more than once?
The OP asked for good reasons not to share a toothbrush with your spouse, and I was surprised that there was any medical literature to back that.
Anyway, there are different kinds of "germs". The two most common are virii (that's plural for virus, maybe, or my English is dying) and bacteria (which is plural for bacterium, but I've never seen only one, they always travel in numbers).
If you already have a viral infection (like chicken pox), then your body is already battling the infection. Once your immune system has figured out how to kill off the virus, it keeps a record of how to handle that virus, and further exposure to that virus is not going to make you sick again (chicken pox is a good example). If it's a particularly nasty virus, like the Hepatitis virii (L"A), then the virus may be able to "hide" in the body. You are then a carrier (and L"A sustaining liver damage), but someone else would need to get a big dose of the virus via compromised mucous membranes or directly to their blood stream from you for the infection to take hold. That can happen because a person who brushes their teeth with a Hep contaminated toothbrush is getting a potential viral load directly to compromised mucous membranes (bleeding gums), which is more likely to lead to infection than kissing or sharing eating utensils.
The ADA page about sharing toothbrushes mentions not to keep your toothbrushes covered (drying out kills lots of bacteria and virii), and to rinse your toothbrush well after every use: ADA page on Toothbrush care. Both of those would minimize bacterial growth. Again, your body is exposed to a certain amount of bacteria all the time, it's just that you want to make sure you don't get a large dose of nasty bacteria directly in your mouth.
I think I'll go hide my toothbrush now.
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