Avaliação da eficácia de agentes desinfetantes na descontaminação de escovas dentais: estudo in vitro

Bianca da Silva Reginato, Felipe Gomes Dallepiane, Anna Carolina Ceolin Milani, Eduarda Mafaciolli Pasqualotto, Laura Mezzalira Quevedo, Luiza Grazioli Bacchi, Melissa da Silva Reginato, Daniela Jorge Corralo.

Abstract

Introduction and Objectives: Oral hygiene is performed through mechanical brushing and use of dental floss. In contact with the mouth, the toothbrush becomes contaminated. The ways they are stored, washed, and dried can also influence to contamination. This study evaluated the effectiveness of different chemical disinfectants in disinfecting used toothbrushes. Materials and Methods: 30 toothbrushes, from different individuals, were collected after use (more than 30 days), divided into three groups: G1-disinfection with 0.12% chlorhexidine; G2-disinfection with 0.2% peracetic acid; and, G3-disinfection with 3% hydrogen peroxide, in immersion times of 10 and 20 minutes. Prior to disinfection, the brushes were cultured in trycasein soy broth (TSB) (48h/37°C) and then plated on Mannitol, Sabouraud and MacConkey agar culture media. They were disinfected, randomly divided into groups G1, G2 and G3, for 10 and 20 minutes, then washed with sterilized water and incubated again in TSB (48h/37°C). After incubation, the cultures were plated in the mentioned culture media. Results: The 0.2% peracetic acid disinfectant was the most efficient, followed by 0.12% chlorhexidine and 3% hydrogen peroxide. Conclusion: Peracetic acid is not a product easily accessible to the general population, therefore, the use of 0.12% chlorhexidine can be recommended, according to the results obtained in this in vitro evaluation.