Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Tooth Anatomy01:21

Tooth Anatomy

The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Teeth01:15

Teeth

The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
Hand hygiene01:23

Hand hygiene

Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...
Oral Cavity01:11

Oral Cavity

The oral cavity, or the mouth, is a complex structure in humans that plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Its role is not only in chewing and swallowing food; it also plays a role in speech and facial expressions.
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Assessment of the Mouth01:26

Assessment of the Mouth

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Conceptual development of a restorative dental prognosis index: A proof-of-concept framework integrating survival evidence and restorability assessment".

Journal of dentistry·2026
Same author

Changes in Workplace Productivity and Estimated Cost Savings During Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Irish National Health Service: Naturalistic, Repeated-Measures, Retrospective Survey Study.

Journal of medical Internet research·2026
Same author

Ten-year survival of posterior teeth in patients with periodontitis following systematic periodontal treatment: A systematic review and meta-analysis using only open-access evidence and analytic tools.

Journal of dentistry·2025
Same author

Machine Learning Model for Response to Internet-Delivered CBT vs Antidepressant Medication.

JAMA network open·2025
Same author

Banbury Forum Consensus Statement on the Path Forward for Digital Mental Health Treatment.

Focus (American Psychiatric Publishing)·2025
Same author

Digital mental health treatment implementation playbook: successful practices from implementation experiences in American healthcare organizations.

Frontiers in digital health·2025
Same journal

Is tooth loss associated with subsequent cognitive decline and dementia in ageing populations?

Evidence-based dentistry·2026
Same journal

Do sleep bruxism patients experience higher complication or failure rates with monolithic lithium disilicate or zirconia molar crowns?

Evidence-based dentistry·2026
Same journal

"Spin" in randomized controlled trials of digital implant surgery: a meta-epidemiologic study.

Evidence-based dentistry·2026
Same journal

Maxillary implant-retained overdentures: telescopic versus LOCATOR attachments.

Evidence-based dentistry·2026
Same journal

AI in peer review: the elephant in the editorial room.

Evidence-based dentistry·2026
Same journal

Uncovering the hidden mutational landscape of the oral epithelium.

Evidence-based dentistry·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

Pilot In Vitro Study to Assess Cleaning Ability and Effects of Different Decontamination Methods on Implant Surfaces
03:10

Pilot In Vitro Study to Assess Cleaning Ability and Effects of Different Decontamination Methods on Implant Surfaces

Published on: November 21, 2025

How clean is your toothbrush?

Derek Richards1

  • 1Centre for Evidence-based Dentistry, Oxford, UK.

Evidence-Based Dentistry
|December 22, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Toothbrushes harbor pathogenic bacteria after use, with contamination influenced by design and storage. While some cleaning methods reduce bacteria, closed containers may increase survival, highlighting a need for further research in hospital settings.

More Related Videos

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
08:47

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults

Published on: February 2, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Pilot In Vitro Study to Assess Cleaning Ability and Effects of Different Decontamination Methods on Implant Surfaces
03:10

Pilot In Vitro Study to Assess Cleaning Ability and Effects of Different Decontamination Methods on Implant Surfaces

Published on: November 21, 2025

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
08:47

Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults

Published on: February 2, 2020

Area of Science:

  • Oral microbiology and infection control.
  • Dental hygiene practices and patient safety.

Background:

  • Toothbrushes are frequently contaminated with pathogenic bacteria from dental plaque, environmental factors, or a combination.
  • Understanding toothbrush contamination is crucial for preventing healthcare-associated infections.

Discussion:

  • Bacterial retention and survival on toothbrushes post-use are significant, affecting both healthy and orally diseased adults.
  • Various decontamination techniques and active agents show potential in reducing bacterial load.
  • Closed storage containers may inadvertently increase bacterial load or survival times, contrary to expectations.

Key Insights:

  • Toothbrush design significantly impacts bacterial load.
  • Effective decontamination strategies are being explored, with varying success rates.
  • Current research lacks focus on toothbrush contamination in vulnerable hospital populations.

Outlook:

  • Further investigation is needed into environmental factors influencing toothbrush contamination in healthcare settings.
  • Research should address toothbrush use and contamination in nursing clinical practice, particularly for critically ill patients.
  • Developing evidence-based guidelines for toothbrush hygiene in hospitals is essential.