Investigating the presence of microorganisms in toothbrush that is kept with a cap and without cap

摘要

Brushing our teeth is important for our oral health. During every tooth brushing, toothbrush interacts with the microorganisms in our mouth. Preservation of toothbrushes is also an important thing for the accumulation of microorganisms in toothbrush. Due to reduce the accumulation of microorganisms in toothbrushes, toothbrush caps have been developed to keep toothbrushes clean and sanitized but their effectiveness is questionable at best.udIn this research, the presence of microorganisms in toothbrush with and without cap in the same conditions is investigated. The investigation topic is how the presence of microorganisms in toothbrush changes when it is kept with and without cap in the same conditions.udToothbrushes are used by family members and they brushed their teeth systematically with a toothbrush that is kept with a cap and another toothbrush that is kept without a cap. In order to get reliable results, toothbrushes are kept in the same physical condition, in the bathroom, same temperature and family members use same type and same brand of toothbrushes and toothpastes.udThe experimental results are obtained after the usage of toothbrushes in ten days by the family members. Samples were taken from the toothbrushes in order to plant the samples to the solid growth medium and leave them for incubation. After the incubation period, the solid growth mediums were taken and they are analyzed.udWhen comparing the solid growth mediums, it is observed that caps have inconsiderable effectiveness in keeping toothbrushes clean and sanitized. Therefore, in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of cap it is suggested that toothbrush companies invest on research to find out whether cap is indeed has a real benefit and also to find out whether all toothpastes have a some sort of protection against growth of microorganisms. This research may lead to high economy and savings and avoid environmental pollution.