New Safety Information: Arm and Hammer's "Spinbrush Powered Toothbrush"

Starting date:

January 1, 2012

Type of communication:

Advisory

Subcategory:

Drugs

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Identification number:

RA-110005478

• Advisory details
• Media enquiries
• Public enquiries

Advisory details

Information Update
2012-30
March 1, 2012
For immediate release

OTTAWA - Health Canada is advising Canadians of new  safety information associated with the use of Arm & Hammer and Crest "Spinbrush" brands powered toothbrushes manufactured by Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Although there have been adverse event reports regarding these battery-powered toothbrushes in the U.S., Health Canada has received only one report on this product and it did not involve an injury.

Church & Dwight Canada are advising consumers to replace their brush heads after three months of use, or when brushes are damaged, or become loose. The company is also advising that consumers should inspect brushes for loose parts before use. Extended usage, loose parts or excessive wear could lead to brush head breakage and possibly become a choking hazard.

The Spinbrush line of powered toothbrushes are currently sold as the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush and until 2009 were sold as the Crest Spinbrush.

The company has assured Health Canada that they are monitoring, investigating and responding to consumers regarding reports of malfunctioning toothbrushes. For more information regarding the Arm & Hammer or Crest "Spinbrush" powered toothbrush lines, please contact the company at 1-800-561-0752.

The following toothbrushes, which are promoted for use by children and adults, are affected:

• Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Swirl
• Kid's Arm & Hammer Spin Brush
• Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Pro Whitening
• Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Whitening Sonic
• Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Kids My Way
• Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Globrush
• Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Pro Clean Sonic
• Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Pro Clean Sonic Rechargeable
• Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Pro Clean
• Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Pro Clean Rechargeable
• Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Pro Select

Arm & Hammer Spin Brush Pro Sensitive

Related Health Canada Web content

• Information Update (November 2, 2011): Colgate Motion Electric Toothbrush Recall
• Advisory (February 16, 2009): Counterfeit Toothbrushes Found on the Canadian Market
• Advisory (July 18, 2008): Toothbrushes Pulled From Shelves Due to Potential Choking Risk

To report suspected adverse events to these or other health products, please contact the Canada Vigilance Program of Health Canada toll-free at 1-866-234-2345, or complete a Canada Vigilance Reporting Form and send to us using one of these methods:

• Fax: 1-866-678-6789
• Internet: www.healthcanada.gc.ca/medeffect
• Mail: Canada Vigilance Program
  Marketed Health Products Directorate
  Ottawa, ON, Address Locator 0701E
  K1A 0K9

Complaints involving medical devices can be reported to the Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-267-9675, or by writing to:

Health Products and Food Branch Inspectorate
Health Canada
Address Locator: 2003D
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

Media enquiries

Health Canada
(613) 957-2983

Public enquiries

(613) 957-2991
1-866 225-0709