IADR Abstract Archives
Effects of Ultrasound Tongue Scraper on Bacteria and Biofilm Formation
Objectives: Oral malodor is a common condition caused by some gram negative oral bacteria, among which are the 3 red complex bacteria. The present study investigated the effectiveness of Ultrasound Tongue Scrapper to (1) disrupt the structural morphology (chain formation) of the bacteria, (2) disintegrate the ultrastructure (Cell wall & Cell components) of the bacteria, and (3) reduce the thickness of bacteria biofilm.
Methods: While developing over 72 h, multispecies biofilms of red complex bacteria (Porphromonas gingivalis, Tryponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia) were treated every 24 h with 1.6 MHz ultrasound waves generated with Ultrasound Tongue Scrapper. An untreated group served as the control. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope was used to determine the biofilm thickness, biomass and live/dead cell ratio at each time point (24, 48, 72 h). Biofilm morphology and bacteria ultrastructure were viewed using Scanning Electron Microscope and Transmission Electron Microscope respectively. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests.
Results: At each time point, the three variables (biofilm thickness, biomass and live/dead cell ratio) were significantly (p<0.001) lower in the treated samples than the untreated samples. Significant (p<0.001) biofilm disruption was observed in treated samples at each time period while the untreated has intact biofilm morphology. Cells in the treated samples showed disrupted cell wall, cytoplasmic material, huge vacuoles, and heterogeneity in electron density while these cell organelles remain intact in untreated samples.
Conclusions: The present in vitro study demonstrated the potential of 1.6 MHz Ultrasound Tongue Scraper used for oral hygiene to inhibit red complex bacteria and their biofilm, and as such could be a useful tool for oral malodor management.
Methods: While developing over 72 h, multispecies biofilms of red complex bacteria (Porphromonas gingivalis, Tryponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia) were treated every 24 h with 1.6 MHz ultrasound waves generated with Ultrasound Tongue Scrapper. An untreated group served as the control. Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope was used to determine the biofilm thickness, biomass and live/dead cell ratio at each time point (24, 48, 72 h). Biofilm morphology and bacteria ultrastructure were viewed using Scanning Electron Microscope and Transmission Electron Microscope respectively. Data was analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey tests.
Results: At each time point, the three variables (biofilm thickness, biomass and live/dead cell ratio) were significantly (p<0.001) lower in the treated samples than the untreated samples. Significant (p<0.001) biofilm disruption was observed in treated samples at each time period while the untreated has intact biofilm morphology. Cells in the treated samples showed disrupted cell wall, cytoplasmic material, huge vacuoles, and heterogeneity in electron density while these cell organelles remain intact in untreated samples.
Conclusions: The present in vitro study demonstrated the potential of 1.6 MHz Ultrasound Tongue Scraper used for oral hygiene to inhibit red complex bacteria and their biofilm, and as such could be a useful tool for oral malodor management.