Microbial contamination of toothbrushes and their decontamination.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine the level of contamination of toothbrushes by mutans streptococci using microbiological identification, to access the bacterial contamination using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to evaluate the efficacy of two toothbrush disinfectants.


METHODS
Nineteen children used their toothbrushes once a day, for five consecutive days. The toothbrushes were then immersed into disinfectant solutions for 20 h: Group I--0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate; Group II--1% sodium hypochlorite; Group III--sterile tap water. They were then placed into test tubes containing CaSa B, for 3 to 4 days at 37 degrees C. The number of MS cfu was counted and the toothbrushes were submitted to SEM analysis.


RESULTS
There was no bacterial growth in Groups I and II; Group III showed MS growth (range, 21 to 120 cfu). Scanning electron microscopy showed biofilm formation on toothbrush bristles.


CONCLUSIONS
Immersion in 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate and 1% sodium hypochlorite are efficient methods for toothbrush disinfection.
Nelson Filho
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Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. nelson@forp.usp.br
Macari
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D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003666:Decontamination / Q000379:methods; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000382:microbiology*; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012463:Saliva / Q000382:microbiology; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000494:pharmacology; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine