Abstract :
Aim: To quantify and compare the microbial flora of the dental plaque with the use of self- contaminated toothbrush and with the use of "disinfected" toothbrush.
Materials and Methods: 15 subjects were recruited from the Department Of Periodontics, I.T.S Dental College, Muradnagar (Ghaziabad). In group 1, thorough oral prophylaxis was performed on each subject and a new toothbrush and tooth paste was given. The dental plaque samples were collected from each subject on 20" day. In group 2, oral prophylaxis was repeated on all these subjects after 20 days of the study. Subjects were instructed to keep the toothbrush bristles immersed in 0.12% chlorhexidine solution (PerioGard) after each use. The plaque samples were collected at the end of 40" day of the study and microbial analysis was done on Mitis salivarius agar, Mac Conkey and Blood agar. The colonies were identified, speciated and their count was recorded.
Result: Overall the number of microbial colony forming units (CFUs) reduced with the use of disinfected toothbrushes, but the difference between groups was not found to be statistically significant, except for lactobacilli CFUs which increased significantly in Group 2. (p< 0>
Conclusion: Disinfection of toothbrushes with 0.12%chlorhexidine solution did not significantly reduce the plaque micro organisms. Although using a disinfected toothbrush may be useful in developing a more suitable environment to sustain oral health by increasing microflora favouring health over disease.
Keyword :
Disinfection, Toothbrush, Microflora