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document
Effects of an antimicrobial additive to toothbrushes on residual periodontal pathogens . OBJECTIVE Previous studies have reported the link between residual microbial contamination of toothbrushes and periodontal diseases . The goal of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of an antimicrobial additive ( Microban ) to toothbrushes on residual retention of periodontal pathogens . METHODOLOGY Twenty patients had one side of their mouths brushed with a toothbrush containing the antimicrobial agent ( experimental side ) , and the other side with a toothbrush containing no agent ( control ) . Toothbrushes were air-dried ( 25 degrees C ) for four or 24 hours . Toothbrush heads were vortexed and cultured for Prevotella species ( Ps ) , Porphyromonas gingivalis ( Pg ) , Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans ( Aa ) , and non-specific colony-forming units ( NS ) . The plates were incubated and counted . Means and standard deviations were calculated , and data were analyzed using a series of t-tests ( paired and unpaired ) and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test . RESULTS No significant inter- or intra-group differences in mean counts were found ; however , when four-hour and 24-hour data for Aa , Pg , or NS were combined , experimental counts were lower than controls in 39/50 ( 78 % ) of the matched pairs ( Wilcoxon signed-rank test p = 0.01 ) . CONCLUSION Toothbrushes containing the antimicrobial additive showed lower microbial counts than those without , but between-group means were not statistically significant .
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Intervention_Pharmacological
antimicrobial additive
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Intervention_Pharmacological
an antimicrobial additive
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Intervention_Pharmacological
Microban
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Intervention_Pharmacological
toothbrush containing the antimicrobial agent
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Intervention_Educational
toothbrush containing no agent
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Intervention_Pharmacological
antimicrobial additive
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Outcome_Other
residual retention of periodontal pathogens
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Outcome_Other
mean counts
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Outcome_Other
Aa , Pg , or NS
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Outcome_Other
experimental counts
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Outcome_Other
microbial counts
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Participant_Condition
periodontal diseases
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Participant_Sample-size
Twenty