title: Evaluating sanitization of toothbrushes using ultra violet rays and 0.2% chlorhexidine solution: A comparative clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Toothbrushes may play a significant role in plaque control. Toothbrushes should be correctly stored, disinfected and changed at regular intervals.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) gluconate solution and ultra violet (UV) toothbrush-sanitizer for toothbrush disinfection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fresh tooth brushes were distributed to fifteen study subjects, who were selected randomly and who met the study criteria. All the study participants were asked to brush their teeth with the tooth brush provided. No special instructions were given regarding the brushing techniques. Toothbrushes were collected after 7 days. All tooth brushes were randomly allocated to three groups. Tooth brushes were subjected to microbial analysis and total bacterial count was assessed. Tooth brushes allocated to Group I were soaked in 2% CHX mouthwash for 12 h, Group II were kept in UV-light toothbrush holder for 7 min, and Group III were soaked in normal saline for 12 h. All the toothbrushes were subjected for microbial analysis and mean bacterial count was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a statistically significant difference between mean colony-forming unit count pre-sanitization and post-sanitization in all the groups, using 0.2% CHX gluconate, UV rays and normal saline (P < 0.007). However, the mean bacterial count reduced drastically after the treatment with UV rays (P = 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CHX, UV rays and normal saline are effective in a reduction of bacterial count on toothbrushes. UV rays treatment was more effective, when compared to CHX and normal saline.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, People's Dental Academy, People's University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Poonam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tomar
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, People's Dental Academy, People's University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sudheer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hongal
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, People's Dental Academy, People's University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Vrinda
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, People's Dental Academy, People's University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative and Endodontics, People's Dental Academy, People's University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Kuldeep
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rana
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Index Institute of Dental Sciences, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ganavadiya
keywords: Chlorhexidine gluconate; disinfectant; toothbrush contamination; ultra violet radiation