Title
Toothbrush contamination by toilet plumes: A comparative study in Chennai, India
Authors
K Lakshmi Priya*, Harikrishnan Karuppaiah, Jaideep Mahendra, Krishnarekha Kumar, PR Sandeep, Ambalavanan Namasivayam & Uma Subbaih
Affiliation
Department of Periodontics, Meenakshi Ammal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India; *Corresponding author
K Lakshmi Priya - E - mail: drlakshmipriya.perio@madch.edu.in;
Phone: +91 9840889180
Harikrishnan Karuppaiah - E - mail: hkkrish789@gmail.com
Jaideep Mahendra - E - mail: drjaideep.perio@madch.edu.in
Krishnarekha Kumar - E - mail: krishnarekha2002@gmail.com
PR Sandeep - E - mail: sandeepravi13@gmail.com
Ambalavanan Namasivayam - E - mail: dr.ambal@gmail.com
Uma Subbaih - E - mail: dr.umasiva@gmail.com
Article Type
Research Article
Date
Received May 1, 2025; Revised May 31, 2025; Accepted May 31, 2025, Published May 31, 2025
Abstract
Oral health is vital to overall wellness, yet toothbrushes can harbor harmful microorganisms, especially in compromised individuals. Contamination occurs when microbes survive on surfaces such as "toilet plume" where bio-aerosols are released during flushing. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the microbial contamination of toothbrushes with and without lids, stored in different environments over a period of two months. Hence, we used data from equal student groups who used toothbrushes stored inside or outside bathrooms for this study. Samples from 36 used brushes were tested for Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecalis using nutrient agar, MacConkey agar and biochemical tests like IMViC and TSI. Results confirmed all four pathogens across samples, with Candida identified by budding yeast appearance and Enterococcus by a negative catalase test. These findings show that toothbrush bristles support microbial survival, which can negatively impact oral and systemic health. Thus, proper storage and regular disinfection are essential to reduce infection risk so as to maintain oral hygiene.
Keywords
Toothbrush contamination, toothbrush care, oral hygiene, hygiene practices
Citation
Priya et al. Bioinformation 21(5): 937-946 (2025)
Edited by
P Kangueane
ISSN
0973-2063
Publisher
License
This is an Open Access article which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly credited. This is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
