title: Efficacy of microwaves and chlorhexidine for disinfection of pacifiers and toothbrushes: an in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the contamination of toothbrushes and pacifiers by Streptococcus mutans, and the efficacy of microwave and chlorhexidine for their disinfection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty pacifiers and 60 toothbrushes were contaminated with S. mutans and then divided into groups according to the disinfection protocol: Group 1-chlorhexidine solution; group 2-microwave sterilization; and group 3-sterile tap water. The devices were evaluated microbiologically after disinfection for the survival of S. mutans colonies and were examined. The results were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Turkey test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of both types of evaluation showed a large number of S. mutans colonies after spraying with sterile tap water, and chlorhexidine spraying and microwaving were effective in eliminating colonies. Groups 1 and 2 were statistically similar to each other (p > 0.05) and differed significantly from group 3 (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 0.12% chlorhexidine solution spray and 7 minutes of microwave irradiation were almost equally effective for disinfection of pacifiers and toothbrushes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Bharati Vidyapeeth Dental College, Pune-411043 Maharashtra, India. jchamele@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chamele
authors.forename: Chetan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bhat
authors.forename: Tanvi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saraf
authors.forename: Abhijeet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jadhav
authors.forename: Aumir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beg
authors.forename: Chetana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jagtap
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ubeja
authors.forename: Padmeshwari
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patil
mesh_terms: D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D041361:Pacifiers / Q000382:microbiology*; D013295:Streptococcus mutans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D013499:Surface Properties; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D004202:Disinfectants; D002710:Chlorhexidine