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140622 tn?1190098929

Changing toothbrushes during TX.

I have bleeding gums as a symptoms of HepC.

My question is:

During treatment how often should you change your toothbrush?

I'm thinking a lot, due to the staying power of the HepC virus outside the body. Would you re-infect yourself?
If you used the same toothbrush for a month and then changed it , or would it be smart to change it every 2 weeks?

I just KNOW better then to ask my Doctor this question, his head might explode.

I know you guys can handle these types of questions without blicking an eye.

Thanks.
-S
16 Responses
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Avatar universal
Does anyone know exactlyu how long Hep C lives outside the body?  this has been a hard one to nail down?  What about using hydogen peroxide to clean brushes.  would that work as well as chorox?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Ditto what NYG said on your momma (in-law).  Ya gotta love'em while you can!

I'll just add that when my children were younguns, it was always a battle to change tooth brushes every time one got strep throat or a cold, etc.  It just makes sense!  Kids aren't always the most sanitary of creatures and would lay the brush on the counter or grab the wrong one(!! and not tell you!!) or whatever!  Putting them in bleach works too.  I mean, why do you think some kids always end up with one cold after another or never quite get rid of strep?  I know diet and other things play a part but eliminating the re-infection factor helps ya win the battle.

Here's to everyone having the best weekend ya can!  I'm freezing my buns off here!

miss
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's not that you can SEE the blood but often times face it...you just can't and don't.

I change mine once a month. I finally decided that was a "non-totally-obsessive" way I could feel ok. Otherwise I'd have to buy stock in Crest.

Also what I did was buy an electric toothbrush by Interplak because you can change the top of the toothbrush instead.

We do get obsessive (I DO) but I think it makes sense (however...not many people get infected this way and I do think it would be hard to reinfect ourselves who really knows)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
alrighty then!!! hahahahaha!! that aint nothin. theres another woman here that changd EVERY WEEK..  hahaha! may be ya should do more!!!! a norml dude with out HepC changes tooth brushes ever month.  you aint obcessin!!! hahahhaha!!! ya kiddin right!!????  mywomans mama is in hopsital so ya can pray if ya want
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I changed my toothbrush weekly (or more) during the early weeks of treatment when viral load reduction will be the most dramatic. Then about every other week during treatment. Also got rid of all nail clippers, combs, etc, several times as well. Probably a little excessive but I think you're supposed to change your tooth brush at least every 3 months even if you don't have Hep C and every month or so if you have any periodontal disease as many of us have.

-- Jim
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I would think that you could dip/soak it in a solution of bleach water after brushing. Just rinse it before using. I would still probably change it once a month. But at least in the meantime you could disinfect the one you have.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I will pray!

I tell you - I would change my toothbrush more if I remembered to buy a bunch when they go on sale but it's hard enough these days just to remember to brush my teeth as it is!!!!!!!!!!   ;)

I pray all goes well for your woman's mommy.  it doesn't matter how old we get our mom is still our MOM.

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I knew ya is one of the nicewomen. shes agood old woman. it is hard to be around both  same time.but were worrid. thanks i no the tall blond woman use to pray for peoples to. did she come backyet???? i gtta get of of heare befor my woman comes back agin from the hospital,ns
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi, There were posts regarding this a while ago, it wasn't till I finished treatment, and reading these posts, that I realised I should have got rid of the old toothbrush etc.  I would definately recommend getting rid of it after treatment, thats for sure.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This is a sincere question and I apologize if it is naive.  How can we re-infect ourselves if we already have the antibodies to OUR OWN genotype built up?  Don't they last for a while? Aiuta
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I understand the hepatitis C virus doesn't live very long outside the body (1 day and a half) whereas the HIV virus lives longer.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I understand the hepatitis C virus doesn't live very long outside the body (1 day and a half) whereas the HIV virus lives longer.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry about your gal's mother.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks, Jim :)
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Not sure if this is exactly answers your question but let's say you are a genotype 1a and treat successfully and become SVR. You can still become infected again should you for example come in contact with some Hep C infected blood, genotype 1a. There is no absolute immunity for future infections conferred. All said, I think it would be highly unlikely that someone would re-infect themself using a toothbrush, especially since they were on the treatment drugs at the time, and because Hep C supposedly doesn't live that long outside the body. In any event, I still changed mine a lot :)

Be well,

-- Jim
Helpful - 0
154927 tn?1205242851
I know this may sound extreme, but I would discard the toothbrush after every time my gums bled.
Would you use a disposable razor again if you had cut yourself with it yesterday?
Just my opinion.
-E
Helpful - 0
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