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 Experiment Videos

Microorganisms on toothbrushes at day-care centers

E Malmberg1, D Birkhed, G Norvenius

  • 1Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Odontology, University of Göteborg, Sweden.

Acta Odontologica Scandinavica
|April 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

Unsupervised toothbrushing in day-care centers harbors diverse bacteria, including streptococci and staphylococci. While serious pathogens weren't found, the general hygiene of this practice warrants concern.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Antibiotic resistance among Aerobic Gram-Negative Bacilli isolated from patients with oral inflammatory dysbiotic conditions-a retrospective study.

Frontiers in dental medicine·2025
Same author

Low prevalence of multi-resistant bacteria in undergraduate dental students; an observational case-control multi-centre study in Europe.

Journal of oral microbiology·2021
Same author

Comparison of biochemical markers of bone metabolism between conventional labial and lingual fixed orthodontic appliances.

Nigerian journal of clinical practice·2020
Same author

Immediate clinical and microbiological evaluation of the effectiveness of 0.5% versus 3% sodium hypochlorite in root canal treatment: A quasi-randomized controlled trial.

International endodontic journal·2019
Same author

The healthcare system and the provision of oral healthcare in European Union member states. Part 9: Sweden.

British dental journal·2018
Same author

Salivary microbial profiles in 5-year old children with oral clefts: a comparative study.

European archives of paediatric dentistry : official journal of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry·2018

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Public Health
  • Pediatric Dentistry

Background:

  • Toothbrushing is a daily hygiene practice for children.
  • Day-care centers provide a communal environment where microorganisms can be transmitted.
  • The microbial flora on children's toothbrushes in day-care settings is not well-characterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the microbial composition of toothbrushes used by children in day-care centers.
  • To assess the potential risk of microorganism transmission associated with unsupervised toothbrushing.
  • To evaluate the general hygienic implications of toothbrushing practices in day-care facilities.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of microflora from 44 toothbrushes across 4 day-care centers.
  • Microbiological culturing to identify bacterial and fungal species.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Assessment of unsupervised toothbrushing without toothpaste, performed twice daily.

    • Main Results:

    • Streptococci (e.g., S. salivarius, S. sanguis, S. mitis) were the most prevalent microorganisms (approx. 50%).
    • Haemophilus species were found in 82% of samples; Staphylococci in 86%.
    • Fungi were present in 50% of samples; enteric organisms were noted at one center. Beta-hemolytic streptococci were absent.

    Conclusions:

    • Unsupervised toothbrushing in day-care centers harbors a significant microbial load.
    • The practice raises general hygiene concerns rather than a high risk of transmitting severe pathogens.
    • Further investigation into supervised oral hygiene practices in day-care settings is recommended.