Dental News - Used woodwind and brass musical instruments harbor harmful bacteria and fungi

Academy of General Dentistry

Tue. 15 March 2011

save

CHICAGO: Research has shown that playing a musical instrument can help nourish, cultivate and increase intelligence in children, but playing a used instrument also can pose a potentially dangerous health risk, according to the Academy of General Dentistry. Used woodwind and brass instruments were found to be heavily contaminated with a variety of bacteria and fungi.

Many of the contaminants found on the instruments are associated with minor to serious infectious and allergic diseases, according to a study published in the March/April 2011 issue of General Dentistry, the peer-reviewed clinical journal of the AGD.

“Many children participate in their school’s band ensemble and often the instruments they play are on loan,” said R. Thomas Glass, DDS, PhD, lead author of the study. “Most of these instruments have been played by other students, and without the proper sanitation, bacteria and fungi can thrive for weeks and even months after the last use.”

A total of 117 different sites, including the mouthpieces, internal chambers and cases, were tested on 13 previously played instruments of a high school band. Six of the instruments had been played within a week of testing, while seven hadn’t been touched in about one month. The instruments produced 442 different bacteria, many of which were species of Staphylococcus, which can cause staph infections. Additionally, 58 molds and 19 yeasts were identified.

“Parents may not realize that the mold in their child’s instrument could contribute to the development of asthma,” said Glass.

Additionally, the yeasts on the instruments commonly cause skin infections around the mouth and lips (“red lips”).

“Because these instruments come into contact with the mouth, it is no wonder they’re a breeding ground for bacteria,” said AGD spokesperson Cynthia Sherwood, DDS, FAGD. “As dentists, we see this same growth of bacteria in dentures, athletic mouthguards, and toothbrushes.”

Researchers found that many of the bacteria can cause illness in humans and are highly resistant to the antibiotics normally prescribed by general practitioners. This finding makes sterilization of instruments extremely important.

“Instruments should be cleaned after each use to reduce the number of organisms,” said Sherwood. “And cleaning should not be confined to the mouthpiece, since the bacteria invade the entire instrument.”

To avoid transmission of bacteria from instrument to player, parents and students should frequently wipe the surface of the instrument that comes into contact with the skin and mouth. The instrument should be taken apart for thorough cleanings on a regular basis. Glass suggests using cleaning cloths and solutions made specifically for instruments. Most importantly, students are advised not to share their instruments with others. Students should consult with their band instructor for additional ways to disinfect their instruments.

More information about oral health is available on AGD’s website for the public, located at www.KnowYourTeeth.com. The website is a source of consumer information on dental care and oral health. Its goal is to provide reliable information in a format that is easy to use and navigate, and to provide the tools that will help consumers of all ages to care for their teeth and other aspects of oral care.

To post a reply please login or register

Study: Bib clips can harbor bacteria even after disinfection

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., USA: Researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and the Forsyth Institute have published a study that found a significant ...

Study finds 20 to 30 percent of dental bib clips harbor bacteria

OXNARD, Calif., USA: Researchers at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, in collaboration with researchers at the Forsyth Institute, have published a...

The sand, the sea and the ACP

The American College of Prosthodontists is taking Southwest Florida by storm from Wednesday through Saturday. The JW Marriott Marco Island will host this ...

Researchers find association between oral bacteria and esophageal cancer

LOUISVILLE, Ky., USA: University of Louisville School of Dentistry researchers have found a bacterial species responsible for gum disease, Porphyromonas ...

AGD honors Fellows and Masters

CHICAGO, IL / NEW YORK, NY, USA: The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recently announced that 326 dentists have earned its prestigious Fellowship and ...

Use an online ‘ecosystem’ to find, attract and keep patients

The digital age is completely changing the way dental practices and patients interact. The days of low-tech marketing efforts are long gone. The need for ...

Horses versus cars and an orthodontic debate

Which is better: a horse or a car? While at first it seems like this is a silly question that most can easily dismiss, this question can prompt endless ...

AGD announces 2013 Fellows and Masters

CHICAGO, Ill., USA: The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recently announced that 302 dentists earned the AGD’s prestigious Fellowship and Mastership...

AGD announces 2011 Fellows and Masters

CHICAGO, IL, USA: The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recently announced that 435 dentists have earned the AGD’s Fellowship and Mastership awards, ...

The interrelationships between complex canal anatomy and the instruments that shape them

Canals come in all sizes and shapes. They can be any combination of wide, straight, narrow, curved, smooth, gritty, filled with tissue, devoid of tissue, ...

Education

Live webinar
Thu. 18 September 2025
1:00 PM EST (New York)