A survey commissioned by the British Dental Health Foundation showed that over 60% of people would be willing to let their partners, children, friends and even celebrities borrow their toothbrush.

Dr Nigel Carter, Chief Executive of the Foundation, commented: “Sharing a toothbrush leaves people susceptible to all sorts of oral and general health problems. There are many hundreds of different bacteria and viruses in our mouths and people sharing a toothbrush could be passing these on to others. Whilst this might be something relatively harmless, such as a common cold or cold sore, if the person you are sharing with is infected with hepatitis B or HIV these could also be passed on via the toothbrush with life threatening consequences".