Charcoal Toothbrushes and Bacterial Contamination: a Clinical Trial.

Overview

This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the antibacterial effectiveness of toothbrushes with charcoal-impregnated bristles compared to conventional toothbrushes without charcoal. The main objective is to assess and compare the microbial contamination on the toothbrushes after 21 days of use. Thirty-two healthy dental students from the Faculty of Dental Medicine of Rabat (16 males and 16 females, aged 18-24) were enrolled through convenience sampling. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A: Colgate Double Action Medium toothbrushes with charcoal-impregnated bristles. Group B: Colgate Double Action Medium toothbrushes without charcoal (control group). Participants brushed their teeth twice daily for two minutes using the rolling technique and a standardized fluoride toothpaste (1450 ppm). They were instructed not to use mouthwash or antiseptic toothpaste, to rinse brushes only with tap water (without touching the bristles), to store them vertically with bristles facing upward, and to keep them uncovered and at least one meter away from toilets. After 21 days, used toothbrushes were collected in sterile pouches and transferred to the microbiology laboratory. A quarter of the bristles from each brush head was aseptically cut, immersed in sterile saline solution, and vortexed to dislodge microorganisms. Aliquots of 200 µL were inoculated onto blood agar (Columbia agar base enriched with sterile blood). After incubation at 37°C for 48 hours, colony-forming units (CFU) were manually counted to estimate microbial contamination levels (CFU/mL). Clinical data (Silness and Löe plaque index, Löe and Silness gingival index, and DMF index) were collected at baseline. Statistical analysis was performed using Jamovi software. The comparison of CFU counts between groups aimed to determine whether charcoal impregnation reduces microbial contamination of toothbrush bristles. This study involves minimal risk and no investigational drug or device. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Dental Medicine of Rabat.

1. Background and Rationale Toothbrushes are essential oral hygiene tools, but they can act as reservoirs for microorganisms due to their humid storage environment. This bacterial colonization may reintroduce pathogens into the oral cavity, increasing the risk of oral and systemic infections. Activated charcoal, known for its adsorption capacity and antibacterial potential, has been incorporated into dental products, including toothbrush bristles. However, evidence regarding its effect on bacterial contamination of toothbrushes remains limited. This trial aims to evaluate whether charcoal-infused bristles reduce microbial contamination compared to standard nylon bristles after 21 days of regular use. 2. Study Objectives Primary Objective: To assess the reduction of microbial contamination (CFU/mL) on charcoal-infused toothbrushes compared to conventional toothbrushes after 21 days of use. Secondary Objective: To analyze potential oral health-based differences in microbial contamination 3. Study Design Type: Randomized Controlled Trial Design: Parallel, two-arm Duration: 21 days of intervention Randomization: 1:1 allocation (computer-generated random numbers) Blinding: Due to the visible color difference between charcoal-infused and conventional toothbrush bristles, participant blinding was not feasible.; laboratory analysis conducted under coded anonymity. Study Setting: Faculty of Dental Medicine, Rabat, Morocco 4. Study Population 4.1 Inclusion Criteria Dental students (4th or 5th year) aged 18-24 years. Regular manual toothbrush users. Good general and oral health. Willingness to comply with study instructions. Signed informed consent. 4.2 Exclusion Criteria Irregular toothbrushing frequency. Refusal or allergy to charcoal products. Use of antiseptic toothpaste or mouthwash. Smoking or alcohol abuse. Systemic diseases or recent antibiotic therapy (\<4 weeks). Plaque index \>2 or gingival index \>2. Periodontitis, orthodontic appliance wearers, or active oral infections. 4.3 Sample Size A total of 32 participants (16 males, 16 females) were enrolled, divided equally between the two groups. 5. Study Procedures 5.1 Baseline Phase - Clinical Assessment Questionnaire: Participants completed an anonymous health and oral hygiene habits questionnaire (age, medical history, medication use, smoking, brushing frequency, and method). Clinical Examination: Using a mirror, dental explorer No. 23, and a periodontal probe, caries, restorations, and missing teeth were recorded using the DMF index. Plaque accumulation and gingival condition were assessed using the Silness \& Löe plaque index and the Löe \& Silness gingival index. 5.2 Randomization and Group Allocation Eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Group A: Colgate Double Action Medium toothbrushes with charcoal-infused bristles. Group B: Colgate Double Action Medium toothbrushes without charcoal. Both toothbrushes shared identical designs and bristle firmness. 6. Intervention Procedures 6.1 Participant Instructions Participants were instructed to: Brush twice daily for two minutes using the rolling technique. Use only the provided fluoride toothpaste (1450 ppm). Rinse the toothbrush with tap water only-without touching bristles. Avoid using any mouthwash or antiseptic toothpaste. Store the toothbrush vertically, bristles up, uncovered, at least 1-2 meters away from toilets. Record each brushing session on a standardized daily log sheet. Each participant received: One assigned toothbrush. One standardized toothpaste. One sterile storage pouch for post-study collection. 7. Sample Collection and Laboratory Procedures After 21 days, all used toothbrushes were collected in their sterile pouches and labeled with participant codes. 7.1 Preparation of Blood Agar Columbia agar base was dissolved in distilled water according to manufacturer instructions, sterilized at 121°C for 15 minutes, and cooled to 45-50°C. Sterile defibrinated blood was aseptically added under a laminar flow hood. Approximately 20 mL of the medium was poured into sterile Petri dishes, solidified at room temperature, and stored inverted at 4°C until use. 7.2 Preparation of Toothbrush Samples Approximately one-fourth of the bristles were aseptically cut with a sterile scalpel and transferred into sterile Petri dishes. The bristles were immersed in 5 mL of sterile saline solution for 10 seconds and vortexed to disperse microorganisms into suspension. 7.3 Inoculation and Incubation A 200 µL aliquot of each suspension was inoculated on blood agar using sterile swabs. Plates were incubated at 37°C for 48 hours under aerobic conditions. 7.4 Microbiological Analysis Colony-forming units (CFU) were manually counted using a digital colony counter. Results were expressed as CFU/mL. Statistical analyses were performed using Jamovi software. Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. Independent t-test or Mann-Whitney test for intergroup comparisons. Significance level set at p \< 0.05. 8. Ethical Considerations The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Rabat. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Participant data were anonymized using unique codes. No personal identifiers were used in the analyses. The study involved minimal risk and no investigational drug or device. 9. Data Management and Confidentiality All data (clinical, microbiological, and questionnaires) were coded and stored securely. Only authorized investigators had access. Results were analyzed collectively, ensuring participant confidentiality. 10. Expected Outcomes The study is expected to demonstrate whether charcoal-impregnated bristle toothbrushes harbor fewer microorganisms after daily use, potentially supporting their antibacterial claims. 11. Study Limitations Convenience sampling limits external generalizability. Microbial identification limited to total CFU count without species differentiation. 12. Funding and Conflicts of Interest No external funding or sponsorship was received. All materials were provided by the investigator. The authors declare no conflict of interest.