The unhygienic, germy bathroom habit of many Victorians revealed

A shocking number of Victorians are failing to do a simple thing in the bathroom that is key to good hygiene — and those between 18 and 34 are the worst offenders.

A shocking 11 per cent of Victorians haven’t changed their germy toothbrushes for more than a year, while 33 per cent have kept the same ones in use for somewhere between three and 12 months.

And young people aged 25 to 34 are the worst offenders with nearly half using the same brush for more than three months, followed closely by 18 to 24-year-olds, at 45 per cent.

Nearly 20 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds and 15 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds have used the same toothbrush for more a year, or can’t remember how long it was since they bought a new one.

The worst offenders in changing over germy toothbrushes are younger Victorians.

A study commissioned by Colgate that surveyed 1000 people across Australia this year found that, disturbingly, just 56 per cent of Victorians swapped in a new toothbrush every three months, with the rest ignoring professional advice and the Australian Dental Association’s recommendation for good hygiene.

The Australian Dental Association’s Dr Mikaela Chinotti said toothbrush bristles could harbour bacteria and become frayed and worn over time, which significantly diminished their cleaning effectiveness.

“Using an old toothbrush is like trying to clean your floors with a worn-out broom,” Dr Chinotti said.

Toothbrushes should be changed at least every three months, but some Victorians are keeping them for a year or more.

“You just won’t get the same level of cleanliness, and in the case of oral hygiene, this can lead to a build-up of plaque, which can cause tooth decay and other oral health issues.

“It is important to keep your toothbrush dry, ideally stored where it will get plenty of air flow and change it regularly.”

Former dentist turned Colgate dental educator, Susan Cartwright, said changing your toothbrush every three months was not just about maintaining oral hygiene but also about overall health.

“A clean, effective toothbrush is a powerful tool in your health arsenal. We want everyone to understand that this simple change every three months can make a significant difference,” she said.

Older Victorians will be pleased — but likely not surprised — to learn they are the most diligent group in maintaining good oral hygiene, with nearly 70 per cent of those aged 55 to 64 swapping over their toothbrushes every three months or less.