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

Academy of General Dentistry

Tue. 15 March 2011

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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.

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