But that’s exactly what has happened to some users of the battery-powered Arm & Hammer Spinbrush—or the Crest Spinbrush, as it was called before 2009.

“It’s important that consumers know how to avoid the risks associated with using the Spinbrush,” says Shumaya Ali, M.P.H., a consumer safety officer at the Food and Drug Administration. “We’ve had reports in which parts of the toothbrush broke off during use and were released into the mouth with great speed, causing broken teeth and presenting a choking hazard.”

FDA regulates toothbrushes—whether manual or electric—as medical devices that are intended to help prevent tooth decay. Safety precautions should be taken with all kinds of electric toothbrushes.

“Electric toothbrushes can be very effective in removing dental plaque, and so they can help prevent dental decay and gum disease,” says Susan Runner, D.D.S., chief of FDA’s dental devices branch. “At the same time, it’s important to supervise children when they use these brushes, and to look out for any malfunctions of the toothbrush that might cause an injury.”

Injuries reported from using the Spinbrush powered toothbrush include

• chipped or broken teeth
• cuts to the mouth and gums
• swallowing and choking on broken pieces
• injury to the face and eyes

FDA is alerting the public about the potential for injury while using the following models of Spinbrush:

• Spinbrush ProClean
• Spinbrush ProClean Recharge
• Spinbrush Pro Whitening
• Spinbrush SONIC
• Spinbrush SONIC Recharge
• Spinbrush Swirl
• Spinbrush Classic Clean
• Spinbrush For Kids
• Spinbrush Replacement Heads
• Parts Popping Off

The Spinbrush handle contains batteries and a motor that operates the brushes, which are attached to a brush head. In the models of Spinbrush made for adults, the brush head is removable and can be replaced.

But the brush head should not pop off during normal use, says Ali. “In some cases, the brush head popped off to expose metal pieces underneath that can—and have—poked individuals in the cheek and areas near the eyes, causing  injuries.”

The “Spinbrush for Kids” models, which have different handle designs, such as Spiderman and Thomas & Friends, do not have removable brush heads.  Nonetheless, problems with the Spinbrush for Kids have also been reported, such as cut lips, burns from the batteries, and bristles falling off and lodging in a child’s tonsils.

“FDA’s concern is that the unexpected release of any part of this battery-powered toothbrush during use poses a risk of injury,” says Steven Silverman, director of the Office of Compliance in FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “And the risk is higher in children or adults who may need assistance but are not supervised while using the toothbrush.”

FDA Actions
FDA’s inspection last year of Church & Dwight Co. Inc., which manufactures the Spinbrush, uncovered evidence that there had been numerous consumer complaints that had not been reported to the agency. On May 16, 2011, FDA warned the company of its violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, including failure to report—within a reasonable time frame—serious injuries.

After further discussions with Church & Dwight about the risks of the battery-powered Spinbrush, the company has taken some actions:

improved the labeling to caution consumers to change the brush head every three months or sooner if the brush is worn or parts are loose
added bristles that change color with wear to give consumers a visual reminder of when to replace the brush head
issued a safety notice about Spinbrush in television and print ads; the safety notice also appears on the Spinbrush website and the interactive voice response to consumers who call the company’s toll-free telephone numbers.
Safety Notice: Please remember to replace your brush head after 3 months of use, or if the brush is damaged, or if parts become loose. Extended usage, loose parts or excessive wear could lead to brush head breakage, generation of small parts and possible choking hazard. Inspect brush for loose parts before use.

Celebrities and TheraBreath® at the Golden Globe Awards
Throughout the event, many celebrities came by the TheraBreath gifting area to discuss their experiences with the product and to also learn more about how these natural products provide fresh breath. Some of the celebrities that were able to enjoy TheraBreath products included Rico Rodriguez of Modern Family, Raven Goodwin of Glee, Bai Ling of The Crow, Booboo Stewart of Twilight, Christian LeBlanc of The Young and the Restless and the 2011 Ms. America – Tracy Broughton, among many others. Needless to say, the products were very popular among the celebrities who are in need of fresh breath during the big Golden Globe Awards events.

Performed by adhering a thin, wafer-like strip of porcelain to the surface of teeth, Dr. Kosdon says the added thickness of the veneers pushes out one’s natural lip curves to create a more rounded, ample shape. With a dental procedure like porcelain veneers in New York City, he adds that patients can experience plump, luscious lips without having to undergo plastic surgical procedures or dermal fillers. “Dental veneers can improve the look of the smile and the entire face, and are permanent unlike dermal fillers. With veneers, patients can permanently enhance their lips and remove or reduce wrinkles in the corner of their mouth without having to endure frequent injections.”

As with any procedure, Dr. Kosdon says he recommends consulting with an experienced and dedicated cosmetic dentist before proceeding with any cosmetic enhancement. However, he adds that through the skilled hands of a qualified dentist, patients can achieve full, natural lips to complement their overall appearance.

Many people have crooked or misaligned teeth that they would like to straighten. However, they do not want to wear ugly metal braces. Modern solutions, like Invisalign aligners, allow patients to correct their smile with a clear tray that fits seamlessly over the existing teeth. For teeth that are jagged, misshapen, cracked or discolored, there are porcelain veneers and Lumineers, which bond to the surface of the teeth. Individuals who have lost one or more teeth can replace them with dental implants. They do more than just improve one’s appearance and actually aid in things like chewing and speaking.

Tooth discoloration is caused by a variety of factors including tobacco use, caffeine, foods, drinks, medications, heredity and aging. Therefore, it is a common affliction that many people strive to improve the appearance of their teeth with a teeth whitening procedure. While there are several viable options, the fastest and most effective is zoom whitening. The entire series of steps takes less than one hour and a single session with the dentist. Afterward, patients emerge from the office with teeth that are up to eight shades lighter than when they arrived.

In response to the growing trend of electronic prescribing in dental offices, this product offering combines eprescribing capabilities with direct access to Lexicomp Online for Dentistry™, Lexicomp’s dental-specific drug and clinical information solution, to deliver the information that dental professionals need to safely and efficiently prescribe medication and check for dangerous drug interactions. “We are very pleased to offer this first-of-its kind combined dental eprescribing and medication management tool to dental professionals”, commented Steven Kerscher, Vice President and General Manager, Lexicomp. “Dental professionals are now able to review their patient’s saved medication history and receive patient safety alerts regarding drug interactions, drug allergies and procedure safety checks for dental treatment. Having these capabilities, in addition to electronic prescriptions, will save dentists valuable time and help avoid adverse medication events.”

Dr. Kosdon says untreated and neglected dental hygiene issues can result in chronic oral and periodontal infection that can spread to the rest of the body. He says through regular cleanings and x-rays, dentists can identify potential concerns in a patient’s oral health early on and take the proper course of action for addressing these issues and preventing further complications. Dr. Kosdon adds that patients who routinely receive dental scalings or cleanings also get the benefit of comprehensive and thorough dental care to supplement their at-home hygiene practices. “In many cases, gum disease and infection aren’t always visible to the patient and can affect overall health. It is always better to be proactive and catch dental disease at an early stage before it compromises ones overall health.”

Whether patients are looking for routine cleanings or a more noticeable improvement to their dental aesthetics such as porcelain veneers, Dr. Kosdon recommends consulting with an experienced and qualified cosmetic dentist before undergoing any procedure. He says patients should be sure to seek out a practice dedicated to their overall health through quality oral hygiene maintenance and an eye for aesthetic beauty. “Routine cleanings along with regular brushing and flossing can often lead to whiter teeth which is an inexpensive way to improve ones self-esteem and oral health.”

Another similar study recently produced by the AACD reports that 99.7% of Americans believe a person’s smile is an important social asset, with 74% stating an unattractive smile can hurt a person’s chance for career success. With such an importance being placed on the cosmetic appearance of one’s teeth, Dr. Singer says that a smile makeover can offer patients renewed self-confidence and a more positive outlook on life. By combining several cosmetic procedures, he says patients can achieve a redesigned smile that they are proud to show off.

For patients considering porcelain veneers or teeth whitening in New Jersey, Dr. Singer recommends seeking dental professionals active in the dental community and dedicated to continued education. Active and consistent engagement, he says, ensures that cosmetic dentists stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and technology in the field. Dr. Singer adds that choosing a dentist who is in constant pursuit of the latest in dental education is one of the most important things patients can look for.

“We are delighted that the Objet Eden260V 3D Printer was selected as a 2011 Best of the Best Product for precision dental manufacturing by Dental Lab Products’ readers,” said Avi Cohen, Head of Medical Solutions at Objet. “The high degree of interest reflects 3D printing’s growing importance in digitizing dentistry. The selection of the Objet Eden260V 3D Printer highlights Objet’s growing success in redefining manufacturing in the dental laboratory industry.”

3D printing is at the heart of the new digital era in dentistry. By combining oral scanning, CAD/CAM design and 3D printing, dental labs can accurately and rapidly produce dental stone models, and a range of orthodontic appliances for dental offices. The Objet Eden260V 3D Printer provides dental labs with an ideal platform for a digitized workflow, enabling more efficient and cost effective production.

Avi Cohen continued: “It is notable that the Objet Eden260V 3D Printer was the only rapid prototyping platform chosen out of more than 230 new product innovations across all categories. We are excited to play our part in bringing improved dental solutions to dentists and their patients. Through the use of proven Objet 3D Printers for additive manufacturing, and our advanced, medically approved materials, we are leading in providing highly accurate and excellent-quality models and parts at an affordable cost.”

The pilot Text2Floss project was founded by  Tony S. Hashemian, D.D.S. , Assistant Dean to Global Oral Health at ASDOH, who explained, “The Mission of the Global Oral Health program at Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health is to create Global Oral Health Solutions through improving oral health, leadership development, innovation, dental education, new technology, and the promotion of peace through collaboration and the provision of compassionate care to the underserved locally and worldwide.”

Dr. Hashemian continued, “Health and wellness organizations are in need of a mobile solution that turns the already ubiquitous SMS text messaging medium into a powerful, HIPAA-compliant communications tool; enabling healthcare organizations and vendors to communicate patient data and other medical information via secure text messaging to clinicians’ and patients’ mobile devices.”

CellTrust’s founder and CEO, Sean Moshir, added, “With a secure SMS solution, organizations are able to send and receive text messages with real-time Protected Health Information (PHI) from personal mobile phones, web-portal interfaces, email exchange servers, electronic medical records, customer relationship management systems, lab systems, and other applications.”

By directly providing physicians and clinicians with required patient information to make informed decisions, a secure SMS solution improves the quality of healthcare with decreased response times and accurate decision-making, allowing for quicker interventions and improved patient outcome.

Starting in January, Kool Smiles will provide children and parents selected PBS KIDS content. These will include links to PBS KIDS’ educational videos, online games, and PBS Parents articles, tips and blogs, on Kool Smiles’ website and social media presences. Additionally, printed activities will be available in Kool Smiles offices for kids and parents to take home. Kool Smiles will also feature PBS KIDS video content for families to view while they are at Kool Smiles offices.  These educational materials will be available at over 125 Kool Smiles locations, serving over 100 low-income communities across the United States.

“Kool Smiles is dedicated to creating a world full of happy, healthy smiles,” stated Dr. Polly Buckey, DDS, MS, a board certified Pediatric Dentist who serves as a spokesperson for Kool Smiles. “This new initiative is exciting because we recognize that education is a vital component to community development and we know that fun is a key component to making kids smile. And at Kool Smiles, that’s what we’re all about.”

Lesli Rotenberg, Senior Vice President, Children’s Media, PBS, added, “There are so many simple activities that parents can do with their children to help build key skills while they are out doing day-to-day errands. Waiting in the dentist’s office, for example, can be the perfect time to play a rhyming game or practice counting.  Through this project with Kool Smiles, we are putting our curriculum-based materials into the hands of even more families while they are on the go, to help make anytime a learning time.  From building literacy skills to encouraging exploration of science, the environment, and math, this initiative will further the mission of PBS KIDS, to support the wellbeing and learning of children across the United States through content that both entertains and educates.”