Evaluation of Difference in Bacterial Contamination of  Toothbrushes between Patients With Gingivitis And Patients  with Healthy Gingiva-A Pilot Study

Authors

Toothbrush, Decontamination, bacterial colonization, brushing, gingivitis, healthy gingiva.

Aim: To Evaluate the difference in bacterial contamination of toothbrushes between patients with gingivitis

and patients with healthy gingiva.

Objective: 1.To determine the bacterial contamination in terms of CFU/ml after brushing for a period of two

weeks in patients with healthy gingiva.

To determine the bacterial contamination in terms of CFU/ml after brushing for a period of two weeks in

patients with gingivitis.

To compare the difference in bacterial contamination in terms of CFU/ml between patients with healthy

gingival and patients with gingivitis.

Background: The most commonly used method to maintain oral hygiene is toothbrush. Its main goal is

to remove plaque, debris and stains which are responsible for gingivitis, periodontitis , tooth decay and

halitosis. While removing, toothbrush becomes contaminated with blood, saliva, bacteria and soft debris.

The toothbrush itself can act as a foci of infection and retard the disease prognosis and treatment outcomes.

Madhumathi.D1 , Sri Sakthi2

1 Intern, 2Reader, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals, Chennai,

Tamil Nadu, India