ABSTRACT

 Toothbrushes are an environment for transfer ofmicrobes, their retention and growth. The aim of the study was to identify the bacteria load of contaminated toothbrushes, isolate Streptococcus mutans from used manual tooth brush and to access the microbial growth of Streptococcus mutans and Labctobacillus in tooth brush. A total number oftwenty (20) samples were collected within and outside Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State. The samples were obtained from used tooth brushes used by individuals that resides within the confines of Umudike. The total bacteria count of each sample. The total bacterial count of20 samples ranges from 0.31 x 105 to 1.44 x 105 cfu/ml. The morphological identification, biochemical identification, Gram reaction and sugar fermentation of the bacteria isolates from the swab samples obtained from the used toothbrushes were taken and they are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans. Staphylococcus aureus has the highest percentage of occurrence from the used toothbrush with an occurrence of 32.5%, followed by Escherichia coli with an occurrence of 27.5%, then Streptococcus mutans with an occurrence of 22.5% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with the least occurrence of 17.5%. Toothbrushes become highly contaminated after everyday use and can be carriers of microorganisms, increasing the risk of diseases caused by oral biofilm in healthy people.