Can I get myself sick, by brushing my teeth with a toothbrush I used when I was sick?

Question

When I have strep throat, a fever, or even a cold I always wonder if I can get sick again by brushing my teeth with that toothbrush I used when i was sick. Does anyone know if that's possible... getting yourself sick from yourself?

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Yes you can if the germs didn't die off

Answer 3

Any time you're sick with a cold, virus or infection you should buy a new toothbrush or boil your old one. You transfer the germs from your mouth to the brush when you are sick and can transfer the germs from the brush back to your mouth when you're well.  

Answer 4

Yes, it is best to buy a new tooth brush after you have had a sickness.

You could soak in in hydrogen peroxide to kill germs.

If you want to, you can boil a pan of water, then put your tooth brush in it for a few minutes to sterilize it.  Sometimes it will  twist into a different shape though.

Answer 5

I asked my dentist this last time, and he said yes; it would be best to replace your toothbrush as you can reinfect yourself.

Answer 6

I don't change mine.  I just rinse it thoroughly after each brushing.  I have never re-infected myself.  Generally speaking, once you have had the disease, you have white cells to prevent a reinfection from that same strain of germ.

Change it if it makes you feel better.  Or soak it in Listerine, or a similar product.