Mutans streptococci remained viable on toothbrush bristles, in vivo, for 44 h.

Author: Silva LAB, Nelson-Filho P, Saravia ME, Rossi A, Lucisano MP, Silva RAB.

Source: International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry.

Year: 2013

Comment:

The researchers conclude, "The results of this study strongly imply that air-drying of toothbrushes may be an incomplete method for the disposal of microorganisms and highlight the need for toothbrush disinfection after brushing procedures, because MS [mutans streptococci] remained viable on toothbrushes for 44 h."

Abstract / Excerpt:

“Background
Toothbrushes harbor a high number of cariogenic microorganisms.

Aim
To investigate the viability of mutans streptococci (MS) on toothbrushes bristles and the production of extracellular polysaccharide (ECP) related to drying time.

Design
Twenty children were submitted to brushing without dentifrice. Toothbrushes were kept at room temperature from 0 to 48 h and then submitted to microbiological processing. The number of MS colonies/biofilms was expressed according to scores: 0 = no colonies were detected; 1 = 1 to 50; 2 = 51 to 100; 3 = over 100. The amount of ECP was evaluated according to scores: 0 = absence; 1 = ECP recovering until 50% of the surface; 2 = ECP recovering more than 50% of the surface. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon test (α = 5%).

Results
At the periods of 0 to 16 h, the toothbrushes had intense bacterial contamination (score 3). From the 18-h, there was a statistically significant decrease in the MS viability (P = 0.0078), with predominance of score 1 on periods of 20 to 44 h. The most detected ECP amount was at 0- and 12-h period (P < 0.05) with reduction until 32-h period.

Conclusions
Mutans streptococci remained viable on toothbrushes bristles, in vivo, for 44 h.”

Citation:

Silva LAB, Nelson-Filho P, Saravia ME, Rossi A, Lucisano MP, Silva RAB. Mutans streptococci remained viable on toothbrush bristles, in vivo, for 44 h. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. 2013.