title: Disinfection of toothbrushes contaminated with Streptococcus mutans.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the most effective method to kill Streptococcus mutans on contaminated toothbrushes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven toothbrushes (one for each treatment and the control) were contaminated with S. mutans. Toothbrushes were then rinsed in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and treated as follows: (1) control without treatment; (2) air dry for 4 hours; (3) Crest Pro-Health mouthwash for 20 minutes; (4) Listerine mouthwash for 20 minutes; (5) normal cleaning cycle in a dishwasher; (6) microwave on high power for 5 minutes; and (7) ultraviolet light using the DenTek Toothbrush Sanitizer for 10 minutes. All toothbrushes were rinsed again with PBS. The bristles were cut and vortexed in PBS. Serial dilutions were performed and the number of colonies enumerated after incubation. The experiment was independently repeated seven times.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Crest Pro-Health mouthwash and the dishwasher almost completely eliminated S. mutans. The second most effective treatment was the microwave. The Listerine mouthwash and the air dry groups were not significantly different from each other and ranked third. Although UV light significantly decreased the number of bacteria compared to the control, reduction in the number of S. mutans CFU was significantly lower than that of all the other treatments evaluated. Crest Pro-Health mouthwash for 20 minutes and a normal dishwasher cycle are the most effective methods to eradicate S. mutans from contaminated toothbrushes. Dent
authors.affiliation: North Oconee High School, Bogart, Georgia, USA.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bélanger-Giguère
authors.forename: Steeve
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giguère
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bélanger
mesh_terms: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000494:pharmacology; D058491:Bacterial Load; D002594:Cetylpyridinium / Q000494:pharmacology; D003742:Dental Devices, Home Care / Q000382:microbiology*; D003890:Desiccation; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006794:Household Articles; D006801:Humans; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009067:Mouthwashes / Q000494:pharmacology; D012459:Salicylates / Q000494:pharmacology; D013053:Spectrophotometry; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D013729:Terpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; C505193:Crest Pro-Health mouthrinse; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009067:Mouthwashes; D012459:Salicylates; D013729:Terpenes; C057473:Listerine; D002594:Cetylpyridinium