A study on the bristles of commercial toothbrush in Korea
10.11149/jkaoh.2022.46.4.222
- Author:
Do-Won KIM
1
;
Ji-Eun KIM
;
Choong-Ho CHOI
Author Information
1. Department of Preventive and Public Health Dentistry, Chonnam National University School of Dentistry, Gwangju, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Oral Health
2022;46(4):222-227
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:This study aimed to investigate the bristle tip morphology of toothbrushes sold in the Korean market.
Methods:Tufts were taken from each of the 69 different toothbrushes that were selected. The bristle specimens thus prepared were observed under a phase-contrast microscope. The images taken by the microscope were then classified as round, tapered, or mixed. The proportion of acceptable rounded-end bristles and tapered bristles was then determined.
Results:Of the randomly selected 69 toothbrushes, 42 were domestic and 27 were imported. Of the domestic toothbrushes, the proportion of acceptable toothbrushes was 52.4%, whereas the corresponding proportion was 77.8% for imported products. In terms of classification based on tooth brushing techniques, 55.0% of all manual toothbrushes had round-ended bristles. Moreover, based on classification by age, 67.2% of the toothbrushes for adults were acceptable and 75.0% of tooth brushes for children were termed non-acceptable.
Conclusions:The majority of toothbrushes sold in the Korean markets have acceptable bristles.However, not one toothbrush had 100% acceptable bristles. The manufactures should improve their manufacturing processes to produce bristles of the intended quality.
