Evaluating Sanitization of Toothbrushes Using Various Decontamination Methods: A Meta-Analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#chlorhexidine #disinfection #garlic #humans #microwaves

Evaluating Sanitization of Toothbrushes Using Various Decontamination Methods: A Meta-Analysis

Agrawal et al., 2019 | J Nepal Health Res Counc | Meta Analysis

Citation

Agrawal Santosh Kumari, Dahal Sirjana, ... Nair N Sreekumaran. Evaluating Sanitization of Toothbrushes Using Various Decontamination Methods: A Meta-Analysis. J Nepal Health Res Counc. 2019-Jan-27;16(41):364-371

Abstract

Toothbrushes play an essential role in personal oral hygiene by effective plaque removal.However, they get heavily contaminated by bacteria, viruses, yeasts, and fungi which may originate from the oral cavity after every use as well as from the environment where they are stored. This systematic review was conducted to identify various decontamination interventions attempted scientifically and it summarizes the efficacy of each. Meta-analysis illustrated that the use of Ultra-violet rays and Microwave had a significant effect on reduction of the microbial count of a used toothbrush with a mean difference of -2.61 and CI (-4.66,-0.76) with I2=98%. When compared with non-active treatment group, the natural agents (garlic, green tree and tea-tree oil) proved to sterilize the toothbrushes effectively with mean difference of -483.34, CI (-914.79, -51.88) and I2=100%.In contrast, chlorhexidine showed the insignificant result with a mean difference of -347.55 and CI (-951.90, 256.80) with I2=100%. The evidence from this review suggests that decontaminating toothbrush reduces bacterial load. Toothbrushes exposed to radiation and natural agents proved to sanitize them effectively but chlorhexidine rendered insignificant results. Keywords: Chemical agent; disinfection; radiation; microbial load; natural agent; toothbrush.

Key Findings

Keywords: Chemical agent; disinfection; radiation; microbial load; natural agent; toothbrush.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Chlorhexidine
  • Disinfection
  • Garlic
  • Humans
  • Microwaves
  • Nepal
  • Oral Hygiene
  • Tea
  • Tea Tree Oil
  • Toothbrushing
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: garlic

Provenance

  • PMID: 30739916
  • DOI: (not available)
  • PMCID: Not in PMC
  • Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09