Contaminated tooth brushes-potential threat to oral and general health.

BACKGROUND: Tooth brushing is most common method of maintaining oral hygiene. In removing plaque and other soft debris from the teeth, tooth brushes become contaminated with bacteria, blood, saliva and oral debris. These contaminated tooth brushes can be a source of infection. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the presence of microorganisms in the tooth brushes and to investigate the effect of disinfectants such as chlorhexidine gluconate, sodium hypochlorite and water to decontaminate them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one children were asked to brush their teeth for 5 days with a tooth brush. The tooth brushes were put in Robertson's Cooked Meat broth and were observed for growth of Streptococcal microorganisms. These tooth brushes were then placed in disinfectants such as 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (Group I), 1% sodium hypochlorite (Group II) and water (Group III) for 24 hrs and then cultured again. Reduction of growth of microorganisms was seen in Group I, Group II and remnants of growth seen in Group III. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the use of disinfectant for a tooth brush is a must for every individual at least at regular intervals.

Periodontal pathogens and respiratory diseases- evaluating their potential association: a clinical and microbiological study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether any potential association exists between respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and periodontal health status clinically and or microbiologically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients of COPD (test group) and 50 Patients without COPD (control group) were recruited for the study with more than 20 years of age with at least six natural teeth. All the patients were nonsmokers. Periodontal health was assessed by measuring clinical attachment loss (CAL) and gingival bleeding by using William's graduated periodontal probe. Microbiological evaluation was done by collecting sputum samples of the subjects with respiratory diseases to find out any periodontal pathogen in the lung fluid. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: The results showed that the subjects with COPD had significantly more bleeding sites (i.e. >20%) and had more of the clinical mean attachment loss (2.84 ± 0.66) than those without COPD. On the basis of the observed results of the study, we can hypothesize that the risk for COPD appeared to be significantly elevated when attachment loss was found to be severe. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: It is conceivable that oral interventions that improve oral health status may prove to lower the severity of lung infection in susceptible populations.

The role of plasma female sex hormones on gingivitis in pregnancy: a clinicobiochemical study.

OBJECTIVES: To correlate the changes in the level of female sex hormones (progesterone, estrogen) in plasma with the changes in severity of gingivitis in various trimesters of pregnancy till the postparturition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study comprised of 20 pregnant women with good oral hygiene who were followed up in each trimester till 3rd month of postpartum by screening their oral hygiene status following OHI-S index by Greene and Vermillion. Clinically to correlate gingivitis, gingival index by Loe and Sillness was carried out in each trimester till postpartum. For hormonal assay, blood sampling by venipuncture was done and quantative analysis of the hormones was done by ELISA test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The severity of gingivitis gradually increased and reached its peak in 3rd trimester followed by sudden decline in the severity in postpartum which correlated with gradual increase in the plasma level of progesterone and estrogen levels to reach their peak in the 3rd trimester and sudden fall after the postpartum. This study shows the role of female sex hormones in aggravating gingivitis to its peak in the 3rd trimester, even though the oral hygiene remains fairly good constantly. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study signifies the gingivitis status during different trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum indicating the general practitioner to take appropriate oral hygiene measures.