Don’t Share Your Toothbrush!

One of the tenets of good dental health is obvious - Brush your teeth after every meal. This can help keep your mouth healthy throughout a long life.

Another rule should be just as carefully observed: Do NOT use someone else's toothbrush. Sharing toothbrushes can shorten your life.

Be safe, not sorry.

But what about emergencies, when you have no other option than to borrow someone's toothbrush - just once? That's when this rule is most important. It's far better to risk tooth decay by not brushing than to risk Hepatitis C or other contagious diseases by sharing - even with those you love.

In fact, anything involving contact with saliva - a kiss, sharing of table utensils, or tasting someone else's food - can transmit decay-causing bacteria. So, while it's not likely that avoiding kissing will ever become a trend, you should take care to avoid some of these other high risk activities.