Dentist hygienist advises households to share the same toothbrush

Sharing a toothbrush with your sibling that you can barely stand sounds like a nightmare to many.

But a dental hygienist has recommended that you share your toothbrush with your household, and also use supermarket toothpaste as it is 'exactly the same' as the most expensive brands.

If you were to take her advice, Jessica O'Connor says that you would only need to spend £50 a year on dental products.

For those worried about hygiene, it is not as disgusting as using a bog-standard toothbrush between five people, though.

Instead, Jessica advises to buy an electric toothbrush as a household, with each member having their own removeable head.

As for the toothpaste, Jessica said that all of them with fluoride have no differences, so there is no reason to go for the expensive ones.

But did she reiterate that the most important ingredient to look out for is indeed fluoride.

Jessica said: "All my patients are always advised to get an electric toothbrush.

"The difference between manual and electric is the difference between a broom and a hoover. "Electric is so much more effective.

"Of course, I understand everyone is struggling for money, so a great way to cut down on costs is just to get one toothbrush - there's always one on offer - and then buy multiple heads.

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"When you buy a pack of four heads, they all come with a different coloured band at the bottom, and you can also buy different toothbrush head protectors so you can all share the toothbrush body."

Jessica did express the importance of buying the heads though, as sharing the same head between many people is 'just not hygienic'.

She added: "Just wipe down the toothbrush after use to clean off any toothpaste."

With the cost of living crisis hitting so many people right now, Jessica emphasised how important dental check ups are for our overall health.

"It is really, really important to go and have your dental check up," she said.

"Not only are we there just looking at your teeth, but we do like oral cancer checks, and we can tell so much by someone's mouth like detecting HIV and diabetes.

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"There's so many general health issues that can be detected in the mouth that you necessarily wouldn't be aware of. So having your routine check up is super, super important.

"I understand it is expensive, but in the long, long run, it is better to go and have your general check to prevent health issues that you might not be aware of."

Jessica concluded by saying that a lot of dentists are doing dental plans that will save you money in the long run, so look out for those!