Adjunct use of mouth rinses with a sonic toothbrush accelerates the detachment of a Streptococcus mutans biofilm: an in vitro study

Tatsuya Ohsumi,Hayato Ohshima,Yuichiro Noiri,Yuki Suzuki,Ryoko Nagata,Yuuki Sakaue,Shoji Takenaka,Yutaka Terao,Taisuke Hasegawa

doi:10.1186/s12903-020-01144-0

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this in vitro study was to examine the possible enhancement of the biofilm peeling effect of a sonic toothbrush following the use of an antimicrobial mouth rinse.MethodsThe biofilm at a noncontact site in the interdental area was treated by sound wave convection with the test solution or by immersion in the solution. The biofilm peeling effect was evaluated by determining the bacterial counts and performing morphological observations. A Streptococcus mutans biofilm was allowed to develop on composite resin discs by cultivation with stirring at 50 rpm for 72 h. The specimens were then placed in recesses located between plastic teeth and divided into an immersion group and a combination group. The immersion group was treated with phosphate buffer, chlorhexidine digluconate Peridex™ (CHX) mouth rinse or Listerine® Fresh Mint (EO) mouth rinse. The combination group was treated with CHX or EO and a sonic toothbrush.ResultsThe biofilm thickness was reduced by approximately one-half compared with the control group. The combination treatment produced a 1 log reduction in the number of bacteria compared to the EO immersion treatment. No significant difference was observed in the biofilm peeling effect of the immersion group compared to the control group.ConclusionsThe combined use of a sonic toothbrush and a mouth rinse enhanced the peeling of the biofilm that proliferates in places that are difficult to reach using mechanical stress.

Highlights

The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the possible enhancement of the biofilm peeling effect of a sonic toothbrush following the use of an antimicrobial mouth rinse
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations SEM images of high and low cell density areas were captured from each group (Fig. 3)
The biofilm structure in the cell density area remaining on the disc tended to be reduced in the L + Sonic toothbrush (ST) group

Summary

Introduction

The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the possible enhancement of the biofilm peeling effect of a sonic toothbrush following the use of an antimicrobial mouth rinse. Sonic toothbrushes have been reported to remove dental biofilm. Auxiliary cleaning instruments must be used to control dental biofilm in the areas where the sonic toothbrush is unable to directly contact the dental surface (e.g., the interproximal area), even though sonic vibrations. Various methods have been used to clean the interdental area, such as toothpicks, dental floss, and interdental brushes Among these options, the interdental toothbrush is considered the most effective method [8, 9]. Clinicians postulate that self-care will be more effective if the interdental biofilm is removed with a sonic toothbrush. Dental biofilm removal by sonic toothbrushes at non-contact sites has been evaluated in some studies [12,13,14]. Even when a sonic toothbrush is used like a manual toothbrush, the complete removal of the dental biofilm in noncontact areas is difficult to achieve

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Conclusion