Student Project #13

by Roxanne Lew

 

PATHFINDER - BIBLIOGRAPHY

RESEARCH QUESTION:

Can Changing Your Toothbrush Prevent Microbial Infections?

INTRODUCTION 

 Toothbrushes are used by millions of people everyday as part of our oral hygiene procedure. But can the bacteria that accumulate on in-use toothbrushes be contributing to periodontal disease or other microbial infections? Every time a person brushes their teeth, they are developing more bacterial growth on their toothbrushes. (Glass) This also means that every time we brush our teeth, we are reintroducing contamination into our mouths with the bacteria that have since grown on the toothbrushes bristles and handle.

Dentist tell their patients that the optimum usage time for a toothbrush is two months. However, studies conducted have shown that toothbrushes can become contaminated after four to seven days of continuous use and heavily contaminated after seventeen to twenty four days.

It is relevant that toothbrushes play a major role in the contribution and retrieval of infections. Fifty five out of fifty nine patients showed improved symptoms by just changing their toothbrush every two weeks (Glass) But as consumers, changing our toothbrushes every four to fourteen days can be rather impending to our expense accounts. Nevertheless, we can use other methods to reduce the occurrence such as placing our toothbrushes in the dishwasher (Zolnowski-Casey) or soaking our toothbrushes in mouthwash for twenty minutes after brushing (Murray).

Abraham NJ, et al. "Dentists' and Dental Hygienists' Attitudes Toward Toothbrush Replacement and Maintenance." Clinical Preventive Dentistry 12.5 (Dec 1990):28-33. Abstract. Medline. PubMed. 15 May 1999. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=2095315&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b >.

"Ask the Healthy Devil; Subject: Toothbrush and Illness." Healthy Devil On-Line. 18 Feb. 1997. Duke University. 17 May 1999 <http://h-devil-www.mc.duke.edu/h-devil/interact/general/02-14-97.htm>.

Brook, Itzhak. and Alan E. Gober. "Persistence of Group A[beta]-hemolytic Streptococci (GABHS) in Toothbrushes and Removable Aappliances (ROAs) in Children Who Suffer from Acute GABHS Pharyngotonsillitis and the Association with Penicillin Treatment Failure." Journal of the American Medical Association 281 (24 Feb. 1999): 688. Academic ASAP. InfoTrac SearchBank. 15 May 1999. <http://web7.searchbank.com/itw/session/307/66/29373221w3/10!xrn_1_0_A53967337>.

Caudry SD., et al. "Contaminated Toothbrushes and Their Disinfection." Journal of the Canadian Dental Association 61.6 (Jun. 1995): 511-516. Medical/Curjrn. Lexis-Nexis. 28 April 1999.

"Change Your Toothbrush after You've Had a Cold." Executive Health's Good Health Report 34 (May 1998): 8.

Christensen, Gordon J. "Why Clean Your Tongue?" Journal of the American Dental Association 129 (Nov 1998): 1605-1607. Academic ASAP. InfoTrac SearchBank. 15 May 1999. <http://web7.searchbank.com/itw/session/307/66/29373221w3/16!xrn_1_0_A54497287>.

"Coming Clean On Germ-Free Household Product Claim." The Washington Post 26 Oct. 1998, final ed.: A1. Proquest Direct. 15 May 1999. <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?RQT=341>.

"Contaminated Toothbrushes May Contribute to Sore Throat and Other Infections." American Family Physician 33 (Apr. 1986): 194.

Cook, Allan R. Oral Health Sourcebook: Basic Information about Diseases and Conditions Affecting Oral Health. Detroit: Omnigraphics, 1998.

"Counter Attack: Why Antibacterial Products Are Turning Up Everywhere-From Toys to Pillows to Bathtubs." The Washington Post 23 May 1998, final ed.: B4. Proquest Direct. 15 May 1999. <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?RQT=341>.

Dayoub MB, et al. "Microbial Contamination of Toothbrushes." Journal of Dental Research 56.6 (Jun. 1977): 706. Abstract. Medline. PubMed. 15 May 1999.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=408388&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b>.

"EPA Doesn't Recognize This Germ Fighter." The Washington Post 27 Mar. 1998, final ed.: E1. Proquest Direct. 15 May 1999. <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?RQT=341>.

"Esencia: Toothbrush Sterilizer." 5 Jan. 1999. OFT, Inc. 17 May 1999. <http://www.oftinc.com/esencia.html>.

Falck G., et al. "Recurrence Rate of Streptococcal Pharyngitis Related to Hygienic Measures." Scandanavian Journal of Primary Health Care 16.1 (Mar. 1998):8-12. Abstract. Medline. PubMed. 15 May 1999. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=9612872&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b>.

Frost, Helen. Brushing Well. Mankato, Minnisota: Pebble Books, c1999.

"Germ Warfare." The Washington Post 9 May 1999, final ed.: W6. Proquest Direct. 15 May 1999. <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?RQT=341>.

Glass Richard T., et al. "Oral Inflammatory Disease and the Toothbrush." Journal- Alabama Dental Association 77.4 (Fall 1993):12-16. Abstract. Medline. PubMed. 15 May 1999.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=8040514&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b>.

Glass Richard T., et al. "The Effectiveness of a U-V Toothbrush Sanitizing Device in Reducing the Number of Bacteria, Yeasts and Viruses on Toothbrushes." Journal- Oklahoma Dental Association 84.4 (Spring 1994):24-28. Abstract. Medline. PubMed. 15 May 1999. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=7931767&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b>.

Glass, R. Tom. "Toothbrush Contamination." Journal of the American Dental Association 129 (Aug. 1998): 1076.

Glass Richard T., et al. "Toothbrush Contamination: A Potential Health Risk?" Quintessence International 17.1 (Jan. 1986):39-42. Abstract. Medline. PubMed. 15 May 1999. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=3457393&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b>.

Richard Tom Glass, the inventor of the Purebrush System and a practicing D.D.S., writes in his article that it is important for the public to know what may contribute to the causes and transmittance of diseases and infections. This article is intended of a wide range of audience. This is apparent from the comprehension level of the writing. He concludes that toothbrushes become contaminated after approximately one month of use and that toothbrushes should be changed once a month and after any illness.

Glass, Richard T. "Welcome To Purebrush: The Antibacterial Toothbrush Sterilizer." Purebrush. 30 Apr. 1999. Murdock Laboratories, Inc. 16 May 1999. <http://www.purebrush.com/index.shtml>.

Grewal N., et al. "A Study of Toothbrush Contamination at Different Time Intervals and Comparative Effectiveness of Various Disinfecting Solutions in Reducing Toothbrush Contamination." Journal of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry 14.1 (Mar. 1996):10-13. Medical/Curjrn. Lexis-Nexis. 28 April 1999.

Himber, Jacob. The Complete Family Guide to Dental Health. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1977.

Kozai K., et al. "Residual Contamination of Toothbrushes by Microorganisms." ASDC Journal of Dentistry for Children 56.3 (May-Jun. 1989):201-204. Abstract. Medline. PubMed. 15 May 1999. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=2723207&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b>.

"Long, Long Ago..." Eco Toothbrush. 24 April 1999. Recycla-Dent Inc. 17 May 1999. <http://www.sover.net/~meg/long.html>.

Loomis, Christine. "Is Your Toothbrush Making You Sick?" Parents 62 (Mar. 1987):17.

Martin, Chris. "Dentistry." Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 99. CD-ROM. Redmond: Microsoft,1999.

Miller, Richard L. General and Oral Pathology for the Dental Hygientist. St. Louis: Mosby, 1995.

Murray, J.J., ed. The Prevention of Oral Disease. New York : Oxford University Press, 1995.

Ott, Bill. Rev. of The Complete Book of Dental Remedies, by Flora Parsa Stay. Booklist 92 (15 April 1996):1457.<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0895296578/qid%3D927000698/002-7592221-9124409>.

Parkinson, Virginia. Cleanliness - Starring Johnny Toothbrush. New York: Harvey House, 1943.

"Prevention." Journal of the American Dental Association 129 (Sept 1998): 15-18. Academic ASAP. InfoTrac SearchBank. 15 May 1999. <http://web7.searchbank.com/itw/session/307/66/29373221w3/20!xrn_9_0_A21177243>.

Ramli R. "Toothbrush Contamination." Australian Dental Journal 43.5 (Oct. 1998):368. Abstract. Medline. PubMed. 15 May 1999. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=9848994&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b>.

Schlosberg, Suzanne. "Brushing Up on Your Smile." Health (San Francisco, Calif.) 10 (Mar./Apr. 1996): 104-106.

Slavkin, Harold C. "Protecting the Mouth against Microbial Infections." Journal of the American Dental Association 129 (July 1998): 1025-1030.

"Snapp Toothbrush." Improvements: Quick and Clever Problem Solvers. 25 Sept 1998. LWI Holdings, Inc. 17 May 1999. <http://www.improvementscatalog.com/improvements/snapptool.html>.

Stay, Flora Parsa. The Complete Book of Dental Remedies. Garden City Park, New York: Avery Publishing Group, 1996.

Bill Ott in his book review of "The Complete Book of Dental Remedies" states that this book is for consumer - oriented individuals, although he states that it lacks the depth of The Mount Sinai Medical Center Family Guide to Dental Health, but that it is affordable and valuable to have as a reference guide.

Strassburg, Manfred. Diseases of the Oral Mucosa. Chicago: Quintessence Publishing Company, c1994.

Svanberg M. "Contamination of Toothpaste and Toothbrush by Streptococcus Mutans." Scandanavian Journal Dental Research 86.5 (Sep. 1987):412-414. Abstract. Medline. PubMed. 15 May 1999. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=281764&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b>.

Verran J., et al. "Investigations into the Microbial Contamination of Toothbrushes." Microbios 85.345 (1996):231-238. Abstract. Medline. PubMed. 15 May 1999. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=8699965&form=6&db=m&Dopt=b>.

Zolnowski Casey, Mary. "An Infection Control Procedure That is the Patient's Responsibility." Journal of the American Dental Association 129 (May 1998):616-617.

Mary Zolnowski-Casey in her article states that as a dentist, she could not answer her daughters' question "How do you clean a toothbrush?" This was when she decided to look more into this topic. In her article "An Infection Control Procedure That Is the Patient's Responsibility" she mentions how the best method for cleaning a toothbrush was by putting the toothbrush in the dishwasher. She concludes that it is our own responsibility to be aware of our own infection control.

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