Abstract
Introduction: Oral hygiene aids including toothbrushes if not rinsed in a proper disinfectant can affect oral bacterial translocation and re-infection of the oral cavity due contamination. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the survival rate of total oral bacteria on toothbrush and miswak. Material and methods: Totally, 12young individuals with age range 22-28 years and with 20 more remaining teeth in the oral cavity participated in this study. These individuals were asked to brush one side of their mouth with miswak stick and the other side with a nylon tooth brush (Orange toothbrush No: 106A China). 6 bristles from a tuft of each toothbrush and equivalent amount of fibers from each miswak stick were cut immediately after brushing for 2 min and serially diluted in anutrient broth. The bacterial suspension was inculcated in agar plates and incubated for overnight. The used toothbrushes and miswak sticks were stored in sterile containers at room temperature and the experiment was then repeated after 24 hours of storage. The survival rates of oral bacteria were then calculated by comparing the total bacterial counts at day one and 24 hours after storage. Results: Miswak sticks harbored an average of 845.6 total oral bacterial counts and 523.7 the toothbrush respectively at a day one. After 24 hours of storage, toothbrush harbors statistically significant p <0.05 more total bacterial counts as compared with miswak stick. Conclusion: The total oral bacterial survival rate on miswak was significantly reduced as compared with a toothbrush, thus the use of miswak after 24 hours can limits the risk for oral bacterial contamination and translocation. This is the first in vivo study which shows bacterial survival rate on miswak.
Highlights
Oral hygiene aids including toothbrushes if not rinsed in a proper disinfectant can affect oral bacterial translocation and re-infection of the oral cavity due contamination
The 1999 Consensus Statement on Oral Hygiene has concluded that dental plaque biofilm a primary etiological agent for dental caries, gingivitis and periodontitis; that its regular cleaning and removal on daily base is recommended for prevention or reduction of these diseases; that miswak chewing sticks may have a role in the promotion of oral hygiene; and that assessment of the effectiveness of miswak chewing sticks requires further research[1].the mechanical oral hygiene methods are reliable means of controlling plaque biofilm, provided cleaning and brushing are sufficiently thorough and performed at regular intervals
At the dental clinic of the college of dentistry, University of Jazan,12 young individuals with age range 22-28 years and with 20 more remaining teeth in the oral cavity were asked to brush one side of their mouth with miswak sticks and the other side with a nylon toothbrushes (Orange toothbrush No:106A China). Both oral hygiene devices were not rinsed with water, and carried in sterilized containers to the laboratory of oral microbiology at the college of dentistry. 6 bristles of a tuft from each toothbrush and equivalent amount of fibers from each miswak stick were cut immediately after brushing for 2 min and placed in sterile nutrient broth (Oxoid U.K) which composed of 1gram lablemco, 2gram yeast extract, 5gram peptone and 5 gram sodium chloride.The medium was prepared by dissolving thirteen grams of dehydrated nutrient broth in one litter of distilled water, mixed up well, the pH was adjusted to 7.4 and the medium was distributed in 5ml amount into test tubes and sterilized by autoclaving at121oC for15minutes
Summary
Oral hygiene aids including toothbrushes if not rinsed in a proper disinfectant can affect oral bacterial translocation and re-infection of the oral cavity due contamination. Material and methods: Totally, 12young individuals with age range 22-28 years and with 20 more remaining teeth in the oral cavity participated in this study These individuals were asked to brush one side of their mouth with miswak stick and the other side with a nylon tooth brush (Orange toothbrush No: 106A China). The survival rates of oral bacteria were calculated by comparing the total bacterial counts at day one and 24 hours after storage. Conclusion: The total oral bacterial survival rate on miswak was significantly reduced as compared with a toothbrush, the use of miswak after 24 hours can limits the risk for oral bacterial contamination and translocation. Later,it has been shown that drying of toothbrush in sunlight, table salt to absorb their moisture and/or keeping the brush in a closed container with preparation containing formaldehyde for its disinfection is important procedures [4, 5]
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