Antimicrobial spray for toothbrush disinfection: an in vivo evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a spray containing an antimicrobial solution for toothbrush disinfection.


METHODS
Three different solutions were sprayed on toothbrush bristles among 30 adults after they had brushed: (1) basic formulation (base) plus chlorhexidine; (2) base only, and (3) sterile tap water (control). Each solution was tested for 1 week. After that, the toothbrushes were collected and sonicated in Letheen Broth, diluted in 10-fold series, and plated on selective and nonselective media for detection of anaerobes, aerobes, streptococci, and gram-negative bacilli. After incubation, the colonies of those microorganisms were counted. Presence of mutans streptococci on the bristles was also confirmed.


RESULTS
Spray 1 produced a significant reduction in the microbial contamination of toothbrushes for all the microorganisms, spray 2 provided some reduction of contaminants, and spray 3 demonstrated the least antimicrobial effect.


CONCLUSIONS
The antimicrobial spray with chlorhexidine proved to be an effective and practical means for toothbrush disinfection.
Sato
Sandra
S
Department of Dental Materials and Prosthesis, Faculty of Dentistry, University of São Paulo Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto, Brazi.
Pedrazzi
Vinícius
V
Guimarães Lara
Elza Helena
EH
Panzeri
Heitor
H
Ferreira de Albuquerque
Rubens
R
Ito
Izabel Yoko
IY
D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001420:Bacteria, Aerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001421:Bacteria, Anaerobic / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018441:Biofilms; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*
D000336:Aerosols; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D002710:Chlorhexidine