Journal of Dentistry
Volume 36, Issue 7 , Pages 481-487, July 2008

Prevalence, intensity and nature of bacteraemia after toothbrushing

  • Victoria S. Lucas

      Affiliations

    • Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Kings College London, Dental Institute, Bessemer Road, London SE5 9RS, UK
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +44 2 3299 3375; fax: +44 2 3299 4074.
    • ,
  • Gavin Gafan

      Affiliations

    • Division of Microbial Diseases, Eastman Dental Institute for Oral Health Care Sciences, University College London, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK
    • ,
  • Sarah Dewhurst

      Affiliations

    • Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Eastman Dental Hospital, University College London, 256 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8LD, UK
    • ,
  • Graham J. Roberts

      Affiliations

    • Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Kings College London, Dental Institute, Bessemer Road, London SE5 9RS, UK

Received 5 January 2007; received in revised form 4 March 2008; accepted 8 March 2008.

Abstract 

Objective

To estimate the prevalence, intensity and microbial identity of bacteraemia associated with toothbrushing.

Methods

A total of 141 children and adolescents, aged between 3 and 17 years, having dental treatment under general anaesthesia at the Eastman Dental Hospital were recruited. Six millilitre of blood was taken before toothbrushing (baseline) with (1) Oral B 30 toothbrush or (2) Braun or (3) Sonicare electric toothbrush or (4) dental handpiece and rubber cup. A second 6-ml sample was taken 30s after toothbrushing. All blood samples were processed using lysis filtration and bacteria were identified to species level.

Results

There was a significantly greater prevalence of bacteraemia following the dental handpiece only (p=0.02). There was a significantly greater aerobic and anaerobic intensity of bacteraemia following brushing with both the Sonicare (p=0.03 and p=0.05) and the dental handpiece (p=0.001 and p=0.005).

Conclusions

Toothbrushing causes a bacteraemia that is often statistically significantly greater than baseline. Toothbrushing is an important contributory factor in cumulative dental bacteraemia.

Keywords: Toothbrushing, Bacteraemia, Prevalence, Intensity

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PII: S0300-5712(08)00092-4

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2008.03.005

Journal of Dentistry
Volume 36, Issue 7 , Pages 481-487, July 2008

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