BACKGROUND: The retention and growth of cariogenic microorganisms on toothbrushes pose a threat of recontamination. The authors to studied three species of oral microorganisms found at different places on toothbrush filaments. METHODS: The authors tested on patients 30 toothbrushes each of three different toothbrush types made by a single manufacturer. The toothbrushes were divided into three groups by type of construction: staple-set tufting (toothbrush A); in-mold tufting (toothbrush B); individual in-mold placement of filaments (toothbrush C). Subjects used the toothbrushes once under standardized conditions; the authors subsequently examined the brushes for the presence of Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli and Candida species. The inspection was carried out at three time intervals after use. RESULTS: S. mutans was retained to the highest degree, followed by lactobacilli and finally by C. albicans. The authors found that the number of microorganisms on toothbrush types A and B did not reveal a significant difference either on examination immediately after use or after the toothbrushes had been dried for two hours or eight hours. The technique of individual in-mold placement of filaments made retention of microorganisms more difficult. The difference between the number of germs retained on toothbrush types A and C, as well as that between the number of germs retained on types B and C, was significant or even highly significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that toothbrushes made with the technique of individual in-mold placement of filaments appear to retain the least amount of microbial material. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Owing to the fact that toothbrushes always are a possible source of microbial reinfection, the arrangement of the filaments within the head of the toothbrush is of great importance with regard to hygiene.
BACKGROUND: The retention and growth of cariogenic microorganisms on toothbrushes pose a threat of recontamination. The authors to studied three species of oral microorganisms found at different places on toothbrush filaments. METHODS: The authors tested on patients 30 toothbrushes each of three different toothbrush types made by a single manufacturer. The toothbrushes were divided into three groups by type of construction: staple-set tufting (toothbrush A); in-mold tufting (toothbrush B); individual in-mold placement of filaments (toothbrush C). Subjects used the toothbrushes once under standardized conditions; the authors subsequently examined the brushes for the presence of Streptococcus mutans, lactobacilli and Candida species. The inspection was carried out at three time intervals after use. RESULTS:S. mutans was retained to the highest degree, followed by lactobacilli and finally by C. albicans. The authors found that the number of microorganisms on toothbrush types A and B did not reveal a significant difference either on examination immediately after use or after the toothbrushes had been dried for two hours or eight hours. The technique of individual in-mold placement of filaments made retention of microorganisms more difficult. The difference between the number of germs retained on toothbrush types A and C, as well as that between the number of germs retained on types B and C, was significant or even highly significant. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that toothbrushes made with the technique of individual in-mold placement of filaments appear to retain the least amount of microbial material. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Owing to the fact that toothbrushes always are a possible source of microbial reinfection, the arrangement of the filaments within the head of the toothbrush is of great importance with regard to hygiene.
Authors: Julia Caroline Schmidt; Miriam Bux; Elisabeth Filipuzzi-Jenny; Eva Maria Kulik; Tuomas Waltimo; Roland Weiger; Clemens Walter Journal: J Appl Oral Sci Date: 2014-06 Impact factor: 2.698
Authors: Dalia Mamdouh Talaat; Aly Abd El-Aziz Sharaf; Mona Abd El-Moneim Ghoneim; Soraya Ali El-Shazly; Omar Abd El Sadek El Meligy Journal: Saudi Dent J Date: 2018-08-04