Antimicrobial efficacy of various disinfecting solutions in reducing the contamination of the toothbrush -- a comparative study.
BACKGROUND
Contaminated toothbrushes may play a role in the transmission of local or systemic diseases. As modern dentistry emphasises prevention and infection control, toothbrushes should be correctly stored, disinfected and changed at regular intervals.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of 3% neem, 2% triclosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 1% sodium hypochlorite as toothbrush disinfectants against Streptococcus mutans.


METHODS
This was a double-blind, linear crossover, within-group comparative experimental trial conducted among 40 children aged 12 to 15 years. The study was divided into five phases: (1) distilled water (control); (2) 3% neem; (3) 2% triclosan; (4) 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate; and (5) 1% sodium hypochlorite. The toothbrushes were collected after 5 days of brushing and were soaked for 12 h in antimicrobial solutions of separate phases, after which the toothbrushes were submitted for microbial analysis to check for the presence of S. mutans.


RESULTS
The mean colony-forming units (CFUs) of S. mutans at phase 1 when compared with baseline was not significant (P = 0.17). The other phases had a significant drop in mean CFUs of S. mutans from baseline (P < 0.001). The percentage reduction of mean CFUs of S. mutans from baseline was the highest in phase 2 (86%).


CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that all the solutions are effective in toothbrush decontamination, but 3% neem has greater efficacy than other solutions.
Balappanavar
Aswini Y
AY
Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry, Teerthankar Mahaveer Dental College and Research Center, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. aswiniyb@hotmail.com
Nagesh
L
L
Ankola
Anil V
AV
Tangade
Pradeep S
PS
Kakodkar
Pradnya
P
Varun
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005989:Glycerides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects; D013729:Terpenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014260:Triclosan / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D005989:Glycerides; D010938:Plant Oils; D013729:Terpenes; C002443:neem oil; D014260:Triclosan; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine