Recuento de microorganismo streptococcus mutans y staphylococcus aureus en cepillos dentales de niños de 3 a 5 años en dos jardines infantiles en la ciudad de Bucaramanga

Abstract

The most usual way to preserve oral hygiene is by means of a good brushing; The main function of tooth brushing is to eliminate dental plaque, it is important to bear in mind that the toothbrush has a link with the alterations that occur in the oral cavity, because the microorganisms deposited between the brush bristles remain for a period of time. Objective: to assess the Colony-forming Units counts of Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus of toothbrushes of preschool children associated with two children's gardens in Bucaramanga. Methods: an observational, descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with 24 toothbrushes of children from 3 to 5 years of age. We analyzed sociodemographic variables, the Colony Forming Units counts of Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus, the type of toothbrush storage and the frequency of dental brushing. For the processing of the samples we used the brush heads that were submerged in sterile saline solution to achieve the detachment of the microorganisms. Six brushes were processed after five days, another six after ten days and the last six, after fifteen days. Agar Salivarius mitis was used to isolate Streptococcus mutans and Baird Parker Agar to isolate Staphylococcus aureus that were incubated for 48 hours. Frequencies and proportions were calculated for the qualitative variables and measures of central tendency for the quantitative ones. The Chi2 or Fisher's Exact test were used as appropriate. A value of p<0.05 was statistically significant. The informed consent of the two children's homes was obtained. Results: the average age was 3.3 years and 16 (66.7%) were girls, one half of the preschoolers belonged to the socioeconomic condition 2 and the other half belonged to 4. The Colony-forming Units counts of Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus was negative in all samples.