Odontogenic bacteremia following tooth cleaning procedures in children.

PURPOSE This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and intensity of odontogenic bacteremia from tooth cleaning procedures in children and adolescents. METHODS One hundred and fifty five children receiving dental treatment under general anesthesia at The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and Guy's Hospital were recruited. Each child was randomly allocated to one of three tooth cleaning groups. These were (1) toothbrushing, (2) professional cleaning with a rubber cup and (3) scaling. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the prevalence of positive blood cultures or intensity of bacteremia between the three groups. The bacterial species isolated were similar to those reported by other workers. These were S. mitis, S. sanguis and Coagulase--negative staphylococci, all of which are implicated in the pathogenesis of Bacterial Endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS Patients at risk are as likely to develop odontogenic bacteremia from toothbrushing at home as from professional scaling and polishing of the teeth at dental surgery.