A microbiological assessment of the oral hygiene of 24-72-month-old kindergarten children and disinfection of their toothbrushes

Abstract

BackgroundThe objective of this study is to assess the index of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMF-T), habit of brushing teeth, and the microbiological agents accumulating on the children’s toothbrushes for 4 weeks and response of these agents to disinfection via a chlorhexidine solution, then compare those results with the education and income levels of the children’s parents.MethodIncluded in the study were 187 children (96 in the control group and 91 in the experiment group – chlorhexidine) chosen randomly from 600 kindergarten children whose ages ranged from 24 months to 72 months. The children selected had not taken any antibiotics, antimicotics for three months and dental treatments during this trial. The distribution of these children to the groups was also done randomly. After performing a survey for the education, occupation, and income status of the parents, the children were examined and the number of decayed teeth was recorded. The children were given toothbrushes, toothpaste (with fluroide), and the solutions (including distilled water and chlorhexidine) for four weeks under the condition that toothbrushes were returned at the end of each week. The 14 different microbiological agents observed as a result of the assessment of the samples taken in the first week were also included in the assessments of the samples taken over the four-week period.ResultsThe decrease in the DMF-T index was found to be meaningful according to the differences in education, income, and occupation status of the parents. Of all the samples taken from the toothbrushes, the bacteria with the greatest rate of reproduction included Streptococcus mutans, Escherichia Coli, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa, Enterococcus spp, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans. Except for Candida albicans, the other microorganisms taken as samples from the toothbrushes reproduced less overall. In the group using the solution with chlorhexidine, a meaningful decrease in bacterial reproduction was discovered compared to the control group.ConclusionThe findings of this study show that the education, occupation, and socioeconomic situations of the parents should be considered when discussing children’s oral and dental health. Moreover, the study shows that disinfection of toothbrushes in order to prevent reinfection and contamination oral flora with the bacteria again is important in terms of preventive medicine and family-children health.

Desgaste e armazenamento das escovas dentais numa unidade oncológica infantil Dental brush wear and storage in a child oncological unit

“…Nenhum participante relatou a utilização de qualquer substância antisséptica. Apesar de não haver um consenso na literatura, podem ser encontradas diversas formas de descontaminar as escovas: vinagre branco, hipoclorito de sódio a 1%, clorexidina, micro-ondas [2,4,5,8,10,18]. As medidas ideais para evitar contaminação da escova são lavar em água corrente após a utilização e remover os excessos da água por meio de batidas na pia, evitando secá-la na toalha.…”

PCR-Based Multiple Species Cell Counting for In Vitro Mixed Culture

“…S . epidermidis has been reported in endodontic lesions [ 10 ] and it is the fifth most abundant species observed in used tooth brushes [ 11 ]. S .…”

Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacies of 0.2% Chlorhexidine and 4% Tulsi Extract in the Decontamination of Child Toothbrushes

“…In a meta-analysis with eight randomized controlled trials, natural agents were found to be effective in decreasing the microbial colonization of toothbrush bristles. [ 7 9 , 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 ] Polyphenolic compounds in herbal products are accountable for their anti- Streptococcus mutans property, which inhibits the glucosyltransferase enzyme activity of S. mutans. [ 12 18 , 19 ]…”