Contamination of used toothbrushes and their decontamination with disinfecting agents

Ralephenya, Tshakane; Molepo, Julitha; Molaudzi, M; Volchansky, A; Shangase, SL

doi:10.17159/2519-0105/2020/v75no9a1

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 36 publications

(51 reference statements)

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“…A more current study, carried out by Ralephenya et al 17 in which a total of 98 toothbrushes were used, distributed among patients for contamination and after 24 hours they were collected, using Andolex C®️ (chlorhexidine gluconate 0, as a form of disinfection). 12%), Brushtox®️ (0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate), Listerine®️ (essential oil) and distilled water (positive control), the brushes were submerged in 15 ml of the liquid of each group and left for one night .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Home Disinfection of Dental Brushes through Chemical Methods

et al. 2021

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Oral hygiene gained a great deal of space in the daily lives of the population, with that the concern with the correct way to perform the hygiene and storage of the toothbrush. Bacterial plaque is one of the main causative agents of caries and periodontal disease, along with bacteria, fungi and viruses that are found within the oral cavity. The accumulation of biofilm and the lack of oral hygiene provide an ideal environment for the proliferation of microorganisms, increasing the risk of causing these diseases. In this regard, the toothbrush will serve as an important tool for removing plaque and these organisms. However, right after the first use of the brush, these microorganisms become lodged on the surface of the brush. In order to reduce the number of microorganisms, physical and chemical methods have emerged for disinfecting toothbrushes. Thus, this study aims to analyze the effectiveness of home disinfection of toothbrushes using chemical substances. This is an in vitro laboratory study in which brush hygiene was evaluated by immersion and spraying (n=3), with chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils and distilled water, as a negative control, to serve as a comparison for microbial growth in Brain Heart Infusion Broth (BHI) culture medium. The result was evaluated according to the transparency of the culture medium following the McFarland turbidity scale. The result of the experiments was that the group by immersion of essential oils showed the best result in the absence of bacterial growth, followed by chlorhexidine and then hydrogen peroxide. The group by spraying both substances was the one that proved to be the most flawed, with a high rate of bacterial growth. Thus, essential oils were the most effective substance, however, none of the methods proved to be totally efficient in combating Streptococcus mitis.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effectiveness of Home Disinfection of Dental Brushes through Chemical Methods

et al. 2021

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Hygienic Practices and Level of Contamination in Toothbrushes at Mexican Homes in Guadalajara, Jalisco

Garay-Martínez,

Betancourt-Cortés,

Reyes-Castellanos

et al. 2024

Hygiene

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In the present study, a Google Forms survey open questionnaire was applied to identify variables in hygiene habits that influence the contamination of toothbrushes in Mexican homes. A total of 275 questionnaires were validated, and 18 samples were analyzed to determine microbiology indicator groups (Mesophilic Aerobic Bacteria [MAB], Coliform Organisms [CO], and Yeast and Molds [Y/M]) with dilution and plate casting methods. Results were compared with data obtained from surveys, which were encoded to construct conglomerates. Interestingly, a higher microbial count was found in toothbrushes stored in cases (4.9 × 109 CFU/mL for MAB, 4.43 × 109 CFU/mL for CO, and 4.38 × 109 CFU/mL for Y/M), while the use and disposal of toothbrushes following recommendations of life expectancy limited bacterial growth (<10 CFU/mL for CO and Y/M), reducing the possible growth of pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas, among others. Finally, most people do not have the habit of disinfecting their toothbrushes periodically. Further, the survey revealed that disinfection techniques applied by a limited group (14% of the respondents) are improvised and are not standardized with the objective of disinfection.

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Contamination of used toothbrushes and their decontamination with disinfecting agents

Cited by 2 publications

References 36 publications

Effectiveness of Home Disinfection of Dental Brushes through Chemical Methods

Effectiveness of Home Disinfection of Dental Brushes through Chemical Methods

Hygienic Practices and Level of Contamination in Toothbrushes at Mexican Homes in Guadalajara, Jalisco

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