Evaluation of the contamination and disinfection methods of toothbrushes used by 24- to 48-month-old children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate: (1) in vivo the contamination by mutans streptococci (MS) of toothbrushes after use on 52 children (24-48 months old) by a single dentist; (2) in vivo the efficacy of 3 solutions (Periogard, Brushtox, and a Cosmocil CQa and Myacide pharma BPa-based experimental solution) in the disinfection of these toothbrushes through a randomized clinical trial; and (3) in vitro the antimicrobial activity of the solutions by the agar diffusion test using 15 microbial strains.


METHODS
In the in vivo trial, children were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups (N=13) and a 4-stage changeover system was used with a 1-week interval between each stage. Solutions were used by a different group of children in each stage. Children were submitted to a 1-minute brushing (without toothpaste) performed by a single professional, followed by random spraying of the test solutions and microbiological analysis.


RESULTS
Brushtox, Periogard, and the experimental solution reduced/prevented the formation of MS colonies/biofilms on the toothbrush bristles compared to the control (sterile tap water; P<.001). Periogard and the experimental solution showed significantly greater reduction of colonies/biofilms compared to Brushtox (P<.01). In the in vitro experiment, Periogard exhibited the greatest inhibition halo average, followed by the experimental solution, Brushtox, and sterile tap water (P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
After a single brushing, severe contamination by mutans streptococci colonies/biofilms was observed on all toothbrushes sprayed with sterile tap water (control). Although Brushtox presented better results than sterile tap water, Periogard and the experimental solution showed greater efficacy against formation of MS colonies/ biofilms on the toothbrush bristles and exhibited larger microbial growth inhibition halos.
Nelson-Filho
Paulo
P
Department of Pediatric Clinics, Preventive and Social Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, Brazil. nelson@forp.usp.br
Faria
Gisele
G
da Silva
Raquel Assed Bezerra
RA
Rossi
Marcos Antonio
MA
Ito
Izabel Yoko
IY
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001645:Biguanides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D000431:Ethanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016986:Streptococcus sobrinus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013499:Surface Properties; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D001645:Biguanides; C064420:polyaminopropylbiguanide; C031233:polihexanide; D000431:Ethanol; D002710:Chlorhexidine