Friday, February 17, 2012

Federal safety officials have issued a warning about electric toothbrushes, saying the product may present a choking hazard.

The Federal Drug Administration said the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush, once called the Crest Spinbrush, could come apart in your mouth while brushing.

The adult versions of the Spinbrush have removable heads that are suppose to stay in place. But the FDA has received reports about it falling off leading to injuries.

“Reports indicated that while turned on, the brush head has either ‘popped off’ or broken off in the user’s mouth or near the face, causing cuts to the mouth and gums, chipped or broken teeth, swallowing and choking on the broken pieces, and injuries to the face and eyes,” the FDA said.

The kid's Spinbrushes don't have removable heads, but the FDA cites
reports of batteries leaving burns. Officials said bristles also fell off the brush, sticking to children's tonsils.

Church & Dwight, the company that manufactures the Arm & Hammer toothbrushes, issued a safety notice encouraging users to inspect their brush heads for loose parts and to always replace them after three months.