Posted on February 22, 2012
Topics: Product Liability
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says an electric toothbrush marketed to children and adults has parts that may pop off, potentially chipping teeth, flying into users’ eyes or getting stuck in the users’ throat.
The FDA issued a consumer update about the battery-powered Arm & Hammer Spinbrush – or the Crest Spinbrush, as it was called before 2009 – late last week. The federal agency regulates electric and manual toothbrushes because they are medical devices intended to help prevent tooth decay.
The handle of the Spinbrush contains a battery-operated motor that operates the brushes, which are attached to a brush head. In adult models, the brush head is removable and can be replaced.
“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,” Shumaya Ali, M.P.H., a consumer safety officer at the FDA, says in the bulletin.
The Spinbrush for Kids, which is decorated in child-friendly motifs like Spiderman and Thomas & Friends, has been the object of reports about cut lips, burns from the batteries, and bristles falling off and lodging in a child’s tonsils. The brush heads on the child’s model of the toothbrush are not removable.
The FDA says injuries reported from using the adult and children’s Spinbrush include:
- Chipped or broken teeth.
- Cuts to the mouth and gums.
- Swallowing and choking on broken pieces.
- Injury to the face and eyes.
The FDA is alerting the public about the potential for injury from using the following Spinbrush models:
- Spinbrush ProClean
- Spinbrush ProClean Recharge
- Spinbrush Pro Whitening
- Spinbrush SONIC
- Spinbrush SONIC Recharge
- Spinbrush Swirl
- Spinbrush Classic Clean
- Spinbrush For Kids
- Spinbrush Replacement Heads
In its investigation last year of Spinbrush manufacturer Church & Dwight Co., Inc., the FDA found evidence of numerous consumer complaints that had not been reported to the agency. After a warning letter last spring and some further discussions, the company improved package labeling to tell consumers to change the brush heads every three months or if they become worn. The company also began using brushes that change color as they wear, and issued a safety notice about Spinbrush in television and print advertisements, and on the company’s website.
The FDA also provides these tips:
- Before using the Spinbrush, inspect it for damage or loose brush bristles. If you find any, do not use the brush. Report it to Church & Dwight at 800-352-3384 or 800-561-0752.
- Make sure the brush head is tightly connected to the brush handle, and test the brush outside of your mouth before using. If the connection feels loose or the brush head easily detaches from the handle, do not use the brush. Report it to Church & Dwight.
- Do not bite down on the brush head while brushing.
- Always supervise children and adults who may need assistance when using the Spinbrush.
- Follow the instructions and recommended replacement guidelines included with the Spinbrush.
Report problems to the FDA by phone at 800-332-1088.
About Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C.
Defective products cause serious injuries and permanent disabilities. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured as the result of a defective product in New Jersey or New York, contact Davis, Saperstein & Salomon, P.C., for a free initial consultation. If we accept your case, you can be assured that we will work to recover the maximum compensation for your injuries and expenses. Our practice serves New Jersey communities such as Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson, Teaneck, and Trenton.
Call our New York or New Jersey office at (800) LAW-2000 or fill out our convenient online contact form for a free case evaluation. We do not charge attorney fees unless we are successful in your case.
