ABSTRACT

Toothbrush are one of the main means of cleaning teeth and maintaining oral hygiene, but toothbrushes are also potential reservoir of microorganisms, including pathogens. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify microorganisms that are found in used toothbrushes of undergraduate student residing in Hall I and Hall II at University of Benin. Samples were analyzed using standard Microbiological techniques.  The bacterial isolates from the toothbrushes were Klebsiella pneumoniae. Enterobacter species. Citrobacter species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococcus aureus. Klebsiella pneumonia were predominantly isolated with percentage of (33.3%). Fallowed by Escherichia coli and Enterobacter species with a percentage of (17.8%) respectively. Klebsiella Oxytoca and Staphylococcus aureus with (1%) each. In view of the fact that these organisms are pathogenic and could be a potential health hazard, adequate rinsing and air-drying of the toothbrushes before storage will minimize the incidence of these bacteria and the health risk associated with them.