Sanitisation of toothbrushes with novel mouthwash reduces number of live microorganisms

Toothbrushes are colonised by microorganisms, implying a risk of infection. That risk can be reduced by decreasing the microbial contamination of the filaments. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the antiseptic efficacy of a 0.05% chlorhexidine + 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride mouthwash on toothbrushes.

Twelve toothbrushes used 3 times/day for 14 days by orally and systemically healthy people were randomly split into two groups, and their heads were immersed for 2h 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 the Student's t test.

Results

The results showed no statistical differences in the total number of cells for the treatment and the control groups, but a significantly lower number of live cells in the treatment group than in the control group.

Based on study findings, sanitisation of toothbrushes with this mouthwash reduces the number of live microorganisms adhered to the filaments. Such decrease of 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:

Àlvarez, G., Soler-Ollé, A., Isabal, S., León, R. and Blanc, V. (2022), Bacterial decontamination of toothbrushes by immersion in a mouthwash containing 0.05% chlorhexidine and 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride: A randomised controlled trial. Int J Dent Hygiene. Accepted Author Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1111/idh.12652

Keywords:

Àlvarez, G., Soler-Ollé, A., Isabal, S., León, R. and Blanc, V, Bacterial, decontamination, toothbrushes, immersion, mouthwash, containing, 0.05% chlorhexidine, 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride, randomised, controlled trial, Int J Dent Hygiene