A recent study has revealed that sanitization of toothbrushes with mouthwash can effectively reduce the number of live microorganisms adhered to the filaments of toothbrushes.
Toothbrushes are colonized by microorganisms, implying a risk of infection. By reducing this microbial colonization, the risk of disease transmission can be reduced significantly. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the antiseptic activity of a mouthwash containing 0.05% chlorhexidine and 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride on toothbrushes.
A total of twelve toothbrushes used three times/day for 14 days by orally and systemically healthy people were randomly split into two groups, and their heads were immersed for 2 h in PBS (control) or Perio·Aid Active Control (treatment). The microorganisms were recovered, and their number was calculated by culture, quantitative PCR, and viability PCR. Statistical differences were first assessed with a two-way mixed ANOVA and subsequently with Student's t-test.
The results showed no statistical differences in the total number of cells for the treatment and control group but a significantly low number of live cells in the treatment group than in the control group.
It is to be noted that such a decrease in the bacterial load could include bacteria from the oral cavity, from the environment, and from nearby toothbrushes since the quantification was not limited to any bacterial taxon.
Reference :
1. Gerard Àlvarez, Agnès Soler-Ollé, Sergio Isabal, Rubén León, Vanessa Blanc: Bacterial decontamination of toothbrushes by immersion in a mouthwash containing 0.05% chlorhexidine and 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride: A randomized controlled trial.