Contaminated tooth brushes-potential threat to oral and general health.
BACKGROUND
Tooth brushing is most common method of maintaining oral hygiene. In removing plaque and other soft debris from the teeth, tooth brushes become contaminated with bacteria, blood, saliva and oral debris. These contaminated tooth brushes can be a source of infection.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of microorganisms in the tooth brushes and to investigate the effect of disinfectants such as chlorhexidine gluconate, sodium hypochlorite and water to decontaminate them.


METHODS
Twenty-one children were asked to brush their teeth for 5 days with a tooth brush. The tooth brushes were put in Robertson's Cooked Meat broth and were observed for growth of Streptococcal microorganisms. These tooth brushes were then placed in disinfectants such as 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (Group I), 1% sodium hypochlorite (Group II) and water (Group III) for 24 hrs and then cultured again. Reduction of growth of microorganisms was seen in Group I, Group II and remnants of growth seen in Group III.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that the use of disinfectant for a tooth brush is a must for every individual at least at regular intervals.
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, India.
Rashmi
R
Naik
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, India.
B R
BR
Ahmed Mujib
Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, India.
Neethu
N
Telagi
Anil Neerukonda Institute of Dental Sciences, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
B S
BS
Anil
MS Ramaiah Dental College, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
B R
BR
Spoorthi
Decontamination; disinfectants; tooth brush contamination