Germicidal activity of antimicrobials and VIOlight® Personal Travel Toothbrush Sanitizer: An in vitro study

ObjectivesThe study evaluated the antibacterial effect of VIOlight® (VL) Personal Travel Toothbrush Sanitizer on biofilms after toothbrush exposure to human saliva compared to Listerine® Antiseptic (LA), 3% hydrogen peroxide (3%HP) and water.MethodsTwenty toothbrush heads (n = 5/Gp) were immersed in saliva and to allow for bacterial growth and biofilm formation for 24 h. VL sanitizer and antiseptic(s) were used for 7 min; after treatment, brush heads were rinsed and placed into 10 mL of 2× AOAC Letheen Broth, sonicated and vortexed for 10 s. Tenfold serial dilutions were prepared and plated and incubated aerobically and anaerobically. Log10 CFU/mL data were compared utilizing ANOVA (p < 0.05).ResultsResults showed 3%HP with significantly lower counts than LA, VL and control for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. LA had significantly lower counts than VL and control for both types of bacteria and VIOlight® had significantly lower counts than the control for aerobic bacteria. 3%HP and LA were most effective in rapidly killing bacteria when compared to VIOlight®.ConclusionsResults showed that 3% hydrogen peroxide was most effective in reducing the numbers of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria present on the toothbrush heads. Under the same test conditions, Listerine® Antiseptic was shown to be secondarily effective for the same bacteria while the VIOlight® unit was the least effective when compared to the other treatment groups.