People left baffled after finding out why toothbrushes have different coloured bristles

Brushing our teeth - it's what we do first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Whether you're a manual brusher or you've got one of those fancy electric jobbies, one thing I hope we all have in common is using one on the daily.

However, it's clear people don't know all that much about it after being left well and truly baffled when they finally found out why toothbrushes have different coloured bristles.

Now, if you've ever taken the time when you're feeling groggy in the morning or whacked at night to actually look at your toothbrush, you may have noticed that the bristles are actually different colours.

Well, they're not just a design flourish as there's actually a genuine purpose behind their presence.

One woman, Jess who goes by the handle @jmac8781 online, took to TikTok to share the meaning behind the dark patch of bristles on your brush, and it's safe to say viewers were mind-blown by the revelation.

She started the video by explaining: "Here’s a life hack you probably didn’t know.

"Do you ever wonder why your toothbrush has different colours?

"There’s a reason for that."

The TikToker went on to reveal: "The smallest of the colours, usually near the top, is to show you how much toothpaste you actually should be using."

Although, it does actually make sense seen as the recommended amount of toothpaste each adult should use is around a pea-sized amount.

"You’re actually not supposed to put the toothpaste all along the brush," Jess carried on.

If you were wondering about kid's toothbrushes, they also have a similar indicator, with the dark bristles smaller and placed towards the centre of the brush.

Jess added: "Here’s a toddler toothbrush and you can see the blue in the middle shows you exactly how much toothpaste to measure out."

The NHS recommends you 'use a tiny smear of toothpaste for babies and toddlers up to three years old, and a pea-sized amount for children aged three to six years.'

However, it seems that Jess' tip is pretty accurate for adult brushes, with users on TikTok weighing in to share their thoughts.

One user penned: "Mind blown. I was today year's old".

"Well then.. my life is a lie and I don't know how to do anything," joked a second while a final viewer added: "I learned a new thing today."

The more you know - eh?

Featured Image Credit: Kathrin Ziegler/Getty Images/TikTok/@jmac8781

Topics: Life, Real Life, Home, TikTok

Rhiannon Ingle

Rhiannon Ingle is a Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from the University of Manchester in 2021 in English Literature. Alongside her studies, she was the Lifestyle Editor of The Mancunian, the largest student newspaper in the United Kingdom. Her favourite topics to write about include sex and relationships, bizarre lifestyle trends and all things travel.