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What your toothbrush says about you

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Think of your toothbrush. Is it new and bristly? Or does it look as if you’ve been using it to clean tile grouting?

Here’s what your toothbrush says about you.

The purry sort
Your dentist has convinced you to go the electric route. This is a designer toothbrush – it costs an arm and a leg, and its special stand plugs into the shaver socket. You even remember to replace the head of the toothbrush every now and then.

What it says about you
You’re organised and take your health seriously. You’re also prepared to spend money when it comes to your oral health. You drive a correspondingly expensive car, visit the oral hygienist regularly, and work yourself to a standstill to pay for it all. You floss every day, and chances are you’ve had your teeth whitened. 

The turbo-charged type
You know an electric toothbrush is the way to go, and you bought one years ago at one of these discount shops. It works, but sounds like a chainsaw. You know you should replace the head regularly, but just haven’t gotten round to it.

What it says about you
Your life is busy, but you don’t ignore your health. You take your vitamins (well, sometimes) and you go to the gym occasionally. You drive a practical, but fairly new car. You go to the dentist at least once a year and visit the oral hygienist when it’s necessary. You floss, but only when something sticks between your molars to remind you.

The manual kind
You bought the best plastic one available. It has three different colours on the handle, and the bristles come in four colours. You are supposed to change it when the blue bristles turn white, which they did a month ago. But it still seems to be working. At least the fact that its worn down shows that you brush your teeth regularly!

What it says about you
You are practical. You prefer camping, or rustic, but characterful, accommodation to 5-star luxury. You read rather than watch television. You worry about the environment and the emissions of your seven-year old, but reliable car. You go the dentist when you remember to and the oral hygienist in January when there’s money in your medical schemes saving plan. 

The flat and faded version
Your toothbrush looks like an anemone, except for the colour. It has a straight handle and the bristles are off-white. The head looks as if it's been used by a builder to clean difficult corners. You bought it six years ago when you went on holiday and realised you left your toothbrush at home. 

What it says about you
You might consider brushing your teeth before a big date, but for the rest of the time, why bother? You don’t have a dentist. You don’t think you need one, even after that serious bout of toothache you had a few months ago. You don’t know how to use dental floss and you’re unsure of what an oral hygienist does exactly. 


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