Are We Really Sharing Toothpaste Tubes?!

Our family has dealt with alllll kinds of sicknesses this winter. From common colds, to COVID and everything in between, it's been a long season for our household.

My wife's family has been going through it as well and in a recent phone conversation, my mother-in-law said that part of the reason the illnesses seemingly stay in 'rotation' for so long is because everyone in the household is sharing a tube of toothpaste, making it harder to prevent the spread of germs.

The thought of sharing a toothpaste revolted me, as I cannot imagine doing that. I said as much out loud before my wife reminded me that, up until about a year ago, we shared a toothpaste tube. That's when I moved my morning shower to the basement to keep the noise down, so I moved my toiletries down there including my very own toothpaste.

TURNS OUT I AM A HYPOCRITE 

The more I thought about it, we did always share toothpaste growing up. My three siblings, my dad and even my grandparents all shared one crusty, germ-infested tube of toothpaste each and every day. And, we all survived.

With that being said, I cannot imagine sharing a toothpaste tube with anyone ever again... ever. I can't believe I ever did in the first place with hot mouth germs rubbing all over my toothbrush and then into someone else's mouth. Yuck.

IS IT BAD HYGEINE TO SHARE A TOOTHBRUSH? 

The argument -for- sharing a tube of toothpaste seems to be that the tube of toothpaste 'doesn't touch' the brush itself. That's a pretty big leap of faith and seems like a bit of a stretch to me!

Heritage Dental Hygiene recommends families use their own tube, for what it's worth.

HERITAGE DENTAL HYGEINE:

Each person in the household should have their own tube of toothpaste to prevent cross-contamination and control the potential for infection.