ABSTRACT:
Aim: This study is to evaluate in vitro the efficiency of Triclosan and Aloe Vera dentifrices in reducing the contamination of toothbrush bristles by a standard strain of E.coli after brushing. Settings and Design: Methods and Material: Nine Toothbrushes were divided, randomly, into 3 brushing groups, with 3 toothbrushes in each group (i.e) no dentifrice, dentifrice containing Aloe vera (Danthkanthi(R)) and dentifrice containing Triclosan (Colgate total(R)) An initial culture was made with the standard strain of E.coli(ATGC 25922) in a nutrient broth which was incubated. The dentifrices were distributed over the bristles with the tip cut from its handle and brushing was performed for 1 min on autoclaved teeth. The trimmed bristles of each toothbrush were stored in individual test tubes which were kept incubated at 37°C for 48 hrs. Streaking was done in Nutrient Agar medium kept incubated at 37°C for 24 h. The number of colony forming units was manually counted. Results: The number colony forming units is highest in the control group and the least in Triclosan containing dentifrice. Conclusions: It can be concluded that both Aloe vera and Triclosan can be used as dentifrices that help reduce E.coli count on toothbrushes.