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TOOTHBRUSH HYGIENE Toothbrushes are a major risk factor in the transmission of disease, according to Dr. John Rippin, Head of Oral Pathology at Birmingham University's School of Dentistry. It is recommended that toothbrushes are renewed every two to three months, but many people use a toothbrush for well over a year. Yet within two days, toothbrushes are heavily infected with potentially disease-producing bacteria, viruses and fungi. These can include the agents of tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and AIDS. Toothbrush rinsing does help to reduce this burden of contamination, but even with the most efficient cleansing of this kind potentially pathogenic organisms remain. So people reusing their toothbrushes - even for the first time - are at risk of re-infecting themselves with organisms capable of producing disease. Dr. Rippin also believes that cross-infection between toothbrushes can occur when they are kept in close proximity as they are for most people living in families or communal accommodation, such as students houses. For example, it has been shown that the Herpes simplex virus (responsible for causing cold sores) can remain viable on a dried toothbrush for at least 48 hours and for more than seven days in a moist environment. Studies have shown that toothbrush sharing is a risk factor for the transmission of hepatitis B infection. If there are indeed risks of re-infection and cross-infection from toothbrushes, two possible solutions present themselves: regular renewal of the toothbrush or its disinfection.
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Regular renewal: It has been reported that patients with gum diseases tend to respond better to therapy if they renew their toothbrushes on regular basis; every week has been suggested. This is an exercise which most patients are reluctant to undertake for economic or other reasons. Round-ended bristles (Colgate PRECISION) are desirable because they are less likely than sharp-ended ones to cause abrasion to the gums and other oral soft tissues. Disinfection: A
new spray, called Brushtox, which has been recently introduced
on to the market could provide a substantial step forward in
infection control, says Dr. Rippin. It is a disinfecting/decontaminating
preparation, the active ingredient of which is known to kill
most disease-producing vegetative bacteria. It also has activity
against some pathogenic viruses and fungi, thus reducing significantly
the risks of re-infection and cross-infection from toothbrushes.
Brushtox has a pleasant odour and is quick and easy to use. It is sprayed on to the toothbrush before and after each use. Because of its wetting ability it can penetrate between the tufts and fibres of modern toothbrushes. It has no known significant adverse side-effects when used responsibly, but it must not be applied directly to oral tissues, should be stored out of reach of children, and is highly inflammable.
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