Microbial contamination and plaque scores of nanogold‐coated toothbrush

AbstractObjectiveThe study aimed to evaluate the microbial contamination and plaque scores of nanogold‐coated and uncoated toothbrushes.MethodsThis study was designed as a single‐centre, parallel, examiner‐blinded, randomized, two‐group clinical trial. Eighty‐four participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either a nanogold or uncoated toothbrush. Basic periodontal therapy was performed for all the recruited subjects, and plaque scores of zero were considered baseline values. All participants were instructed to follow a twice‐daily brushing regimen without dentifrice and to refrain from other oral hygiene care during the one‐week study period. Plaque levels were assessed after one week using the Turesky modification of the Quigley‐Hein Plaque Index (TMQHPI). The bristles were tested for microbial contamination by viable cell counting. The recorded data were statistically analysed, and a P‐value of <.05 was accepted as statistically significant.ResultsAfter one week of brushing without using toothpaste, the mean plaque index scores were 0.37 ± 0.07 in the nanogold group and 0.58 ± 0.10 in the uncoated group. A significant difference in the mean plaque scores was observed between the groups (P < .001). The mean colony‐forming unit (CFU) was 21 ± 48.8 for the nanogold‐coated group and 100 ± 128.4 for the uncoated group. The difference in the mean CFUs observed between the groups was significant (P = .014).ConclusionThe use of a nanogold‐coated toothbrush demonstrated significantly lower bristle contamination and lower plaque scores after one week compared with uncoated toothbrushes without using dentifrice.