In this era of stem cell transplantation, tissue engineering and piezosurgery, it is important to consider the toothbrush as a source of potential pathogens. As toothbrush plays an important everyday role for personal oral hygiene and effective plaque removal. Oral cavity incubates diversity of microorganisms; therefore it is not surprising that some of these microorganisms were transferred to toothbrush during use. Presence of nutrients, epithelial debris and oral secretions make the toothbrush a favorable media for numerous bacterial growths.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial flora predominantly present in toothbrushes.

Samples of 150 different used toothbrushes from healthy population were taken randomly for microbial analysis. Samples of toothbrushes were put in Robertson cooked meat (RCM) media for both aerobic and anaerobic microbial recognition. Inoculation was done on blood agar and MacConkey's agar plate and culture plates were incubated for 24 hours.

Fifty-four samples showed facultative anaerobes growth, i.e. Streptococcus mutans, Alpha-hemolytic streptococci, coagulase negative Staphylococci (CONS) and diphtheroids. Sixty-six samples showed polymicrobial etiology and 30 showed purely anaerobic bacteria, i.e. Bacteroides, Lactobacilli.

Toothbrush is thus considered a potential biohazard for reintroduction of microorganisms in the oral cavity. New oral hygiene devices like Dental Air Force home dental cleaning system will emerge as true alternative for toothbrush.

Saini R, Kulkarni V. Toothbrush: A Favorable Media for Bacterial Growth. Int J Experiment Dent Sci 2013;2(1):27-28.