ABSTRACT
The success of proper oral hygiene depends on optimizing plaque control. Compared to tooth brushing alone, interdental brushes are more effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis. The aim of this pilot study was to find a storage and/or disinfection method to reduce the number of bacteria left on interdental brushes after use, thereby reducing the transfer of bacteria from one interdental space to another. We conducted a microbiological comparison of four different storage and/or disinfection methods for interdental brushes. The results suggest that mouthwash may be a useful and accessible method for patients to disinfect and reduce the bacterial load on interdental brushes. Larger, more thorough studies with a larger sample size are necessary to further validate this.