Is using your spouse’s toothbrush occasionally normal or gross?

Listen to Wednesday's debate about sharing a toothbrush with your partner, or read the details under the podcast.

Picture this - you go away for the weekend and one of you in the relationship has forgotten their toothbrush at home. 

It’s happened to me before and although my first thought was to use my finger smeared with toothpaste, I am not ashamed to say I’ve used a partner's toothbrush in the past. To be honest, I have so many more important things in life to worry about.

Read: Should you wet your toothbrush before brushing your teeth?

Don’t get me wrong, having an impromptu sleepover doesn’t make it okay to share a toothbrush, but a 'partners' toothbrush, I reckon it’s not the end of the world if you do. I mean, couples share stuff anyway. A credit card, a bed, we eat off each other’s fork, have a sip from each other’s cup, so what’s the big deal with a toothbrush if there is a serious need? Is it really a case of "Eww hell no”, or more a case of ‘Yeah, so what'?

Even though I'm guilty, I had to find out what’s the worst that could happen. Turns out you can come into contact with E. Coli and Streptococcus, bacteria that causes strep throat, resulting in sickness, a sore throat, fever, cough, swollen lymph nodes, and difficulty in swallowing.

Read: #LifeHacksByKeri: From 'toilet brush' to new toothbrush

I don’t think dentists are going to recommend sharing a toothbrush, but if neither of you has an infectious disease or a compromised immune system, occasional toothbrushing-sharing is unlikely to do any harm. 

While we’re on the toothbrush story, I need to know how often do you change yours? Personally, at least every three months for me, if not sooner or the minute those bristles start to look a bit worn.

Now I need to know from you: Is using your spouse’s toothbrush here and there normal, or just plain gross? Let me know by commenting below: