COMPARISON OF COMMERCIALLY MARKETED TOOTHBRUSHES IN AMRITSAR - IN ACCORDANCE TO ADA SPECIFICATION.

Background: The toothbrush has under gone a degree of sophistication and is by far the most widely accepted and adopted tooth-cleaning tool. People who have not received any professional advice regarding the type of toothbrush to be used for cleaning , usually choose brushes based on cost, availability and advertising claims, family tradition or habits. Aim & objectives: The aim and objective of the study was to evaluate the claimed specification of toothbrushes available in the Amritsar market and compare with the specification stated by American Dental Association (ADA). Materials and Methods: In the present study 28 toothbrushes of various brands available in the Amritsar market were used. The length and width of the head (brushing surfaces) was found using a vernier callipers. The diameter of the bristle thickness was determined using travelling microscope by optical interference technique. Results: Total number of rows varies from 3-6, only 17 toothbrushes were in accordance to ADA specification. None of the 28 commercially toothbrushes had average width head as per ADA specification. Conclusion: The variation observed in the number, length and category of the toothbrushes indicate that majority of the manufactures did not follow the norms given by as per the ADA specification of the toothbrush. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]