# I have a cold. When should I replace my toothbrush?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-cold-when-should-i-replace-my-toothbrush/583065>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [May 24, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-cold-when-should-i-replace-my-toothbrush/583065 "2011-05-24T20:58:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![smaje1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@smaje1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaje1)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-cold-when-should-i-replace-my-toothbrush/583065/1 "2011-05-24T20:58:37Z")

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I am experiencing the very beginnings of a cold. I use an electric toothbrush with a replaceable head.

Should I replace the head now, or wait until the cold has run its course?

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**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-cold-when-should-i-replace-my-toothbrush/583065/2 "2011-05-24T21:01:51Z")

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Doesn’t matter. Once you are over the cold you will be immune to whatever germs you leave on the toothbrush.

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**Author:** ![smaje1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@smaje1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaje1)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-cold-when-should-i-replace-my-toothbrush/583065/3 "2011-05-24T21:13:41Z")

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Not to question your knowledge, but can you provide a cite, Baracus?

If you’re right, I’ll save myself tens of dollars in replacement toothbrush heads!

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**Author:** ![Baracus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@Baracus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baracus)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-cold-when-should-i-replace-my-toothbrush/583065/4 "2011-05-24T21:26:42Z")

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According to this [CDC site](http://www.cdc.gov/OralHealth/infectioncontrol/factsheets/toothbrushes.htm) on toothbrush handling and care:

> [@](#):
>
> To date, however, no published research data documents that brushing with a contaminated toothbrush has led to recontamination of a user’s mouth, oral infections, or other adverse health effects.

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**Author:** ![smaje1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@smaje1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smaje1)\
**Post date:** [May 24, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-have-a-cold-when-should-i-replace-my-toothbrush/583065/5 "2011-05-24T21:30:50Z")

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Well, what do you know? Thanks, Baracus. Consider my ignorance defeated!