1Reader and Head of the Department
2BDS, Former Student,
*Corresponding Author: Dr. V. Anu MDS, Reader and Head of the Department,
To evaluate whether various brands of tooth brushes available in the Indian market adhere to ADA specified tooth brush design norms.
13 brands of tooth brushes which are commercially available in the Indian market were selected for the study purpose. Each single tooth brush was compared for the length of the head, width of the head, number of tufts, number of bristles, diameter of the bristles, and surface area of the brushes with the standard ADA (American Dental Association) specifications.
Tooth brushes which are classified under soft, medium, hard and extra soft tooth brushes did not meet the given specifications.10 out of 13 tooth brushes are in accordance with ADA specification related to length and 1 out of 13 tooth brushes are following related to width, while coming for the number of rows 11 out of 13 are satisfied and 10 out of 13 are satisfied related to number of tufts per row. Finally 13 out of brushes are not in accordance with ADA when compared to number of bristles/tufts. Some manufactures did not even provide with the proper type of bristles as per labelling.
There has been a large violation due to improper quality and worst manufacturing of tooth brushes. Public should get aware of about ADA specifications for the proper tooth brush to purchase and use by them. 99% of the surveyed brushes did not meet the ADA specifications.
ADA specification, Tooth brush design, Oral hygiene
