Abstract

POMILIO, Arnaldo et al. Evaluation of cleaning methods on custom-made mouthguards of S. mutans. Rev. Assoc. Paul. Cir. Dent. [online]. 2016, vol.70, n.1, pp. 82-85. ISSN 0004-5276.

Objective: The effect of three different cleaning methods on custom-made mouthguards' strains of S. mutans: fluoridated toothpaste, neutral detergent and chlorhexidine. Materials and Methods: it were made 30 mouthguards custom-made with 3mm silicone slabs that have been subjected to a microbiological processing in supplemented BHI (Brain Heart Infusion). They were incubated in anaerobic jar at 37 ° bacteriological greenhouse for 15 days, changing the medium every 24 hours. After the contamination, samples were drawn and it was made the collection, smear and plating on surface of the culture medium mitis salivarius with bacitracin and then they were cleaned with toothbrush with three different modes of cleaning: chlorhexidine, neutral detergent and fluoridated toothpaste. After incubation, the count was made of total viable bacteria. The results were statistically analyzed by the Wilcoxon non-parametric test. Results: there was a significant reduction in microbial counts before and after using chlorhexidine and detergent (p<0.05). There wasn't significant difference in the count before and after using the toothpaste (p>0.05). Conclusion: chlorhexidine and detergent can be used for disinfection of mouthguards.

Keywords : mouth protectors; bacterial load; streptococcus mutans..