Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of bacterial contamination of toothbrushes kept in different sanitary settings: A comparative study

Background: Oral health is an integral part of general health and toothbrushes are the most commonly used oral hygiene aid. Unfortunately, proper care of toothbrush is often neglected and is kept in bathrooms which are a good place to harbor millions of microorganisms. Aim: To assess the bacterial contamination of toothbrushes for Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, and Lactobacillus when kept in different sanitary settings before and after the use of disinfectant. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 volunteers were randomly selected between the age of 6–16 years. Toothbrushes were grouped into two categories: Group 1: Outside the bathroom. Group 2: Within the bathroom with attached toilet. Group 2 was further divided into two subgroups: Group 2 (i): Kept individually in separate containers. Group 2 (ii) kept with that of family members and siblings within the same container. The present study was carried for 3 months in two phases with the same participants both before and after the use of disinfectant. Results: Microbial contamination was highest in Streptococcus and least in Lactobacillus before and after the use of disinfectant when toothbrushes were kept outside the bathroom and microbial contamination was similar in both Streptococcus and Lacctobacilus when kept inside the bathroom with attached toilet in separate container and same container both before and after the use of disinfectant. Conclusion: A high level of pathogenic microorganisms were seen in toothbrushes kept in the bathroom for 3 months which were reduced by dipping them in 0.12-% chlorhexidine gluconate.