Sharing toothbrushes and other ill-advised oral hygiene measures could play an influential role in spreading COVID-19. The latest study showed that sharing a toothbrush, toothpaste, the same container for the brush and not changing the brush after the viral process are all possible routes of cross-contamination of coronavirus. The investigation monitored hundreds of families over the course of 15 days and found over half (55%) of COVID-positive people who share a toothbrush passed the virus onto other family members in the household. oral hygiene habits like sharing toothbrushes are linked to the transmission of many diseases and should be discouraged.

There are many hundreds of different bacteria and viruses in our mouths and those sharing a toothbrush could be passing these on to others. In addition to sharing a toothbrush, the research published in BMC Oral Health, discovered an even greater risk for families leaving their toothbrushes in the same container.  Two-in-three (66%) people who tested positive for coronavirus and who share a toothbrush container with family members, passed the virus on to them. Further findings showed the same tube of toothpaste should also not be used between members of the same family, as this is another way of facilitating cross-contamination.  Households with a COVID-positive member increase their risk of spreading the virus by almost a third (30%) if they share the same tube of toothpaste. Storing toothbrushes in the same container has always been a bad idea, but today this separation has become a real necessity.  “This is especially important if a person has the virus without the symptoms, as they could be unknowingly spreading the virus to loved ones. “It is important to store your toothbrush away from others, in a dry place and with the brush head pointing upwards. This allows the bristles to dry faster and hinders the spread of any virus or bacteria that may be lingering on the brush.  If you know you are infected, soaking your brush in an antibacterial mouthwash after brushing could also help kill any bacteria and viruses on the toothbrush. Some other study also found that tongue cleaning was the most effective oral hygiene habit in reducing the spread of the virus.

Regards

Sarah eve
Editorial Assistant
Journal of Oral Hygiene and Health