Droplet Sizes Emitted from Demonstration Electric Toothbrushes

Erwin P. Mark, Michael A. O. Lewis, Filippo Graziani, Boris Atlas and Joern Utsch
Additional contact information
Erwin P. Mark: Research & Development, Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, German Innovation Center, Frankfurter Straße 145, 61476 Kronberg, Germany
Michael A. O. Lewis: School of Dentistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales CF14 4XY, UK
Filippo Graziani: Department of Surgical, Medical and Molecular Pathology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
Boris Atlas: Research & Development, Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, German Innovation Center, Frankfurter Straße 145, 61476 Kronberg, Germany
Joern Utsch: Research & Development, Procter & Gamble Service GmbH, German Innovation Center, Frankfurter Straße 145, 61476 Kronberg, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 5, 1-8

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to microbial transmission risk via aerosols in dental practice. Demonstration electric toothbrushes are used intra-orally for education. The aim of this investigation was to measure the size of droplets emitted by the brush head of two demonstration oscillating-rotating electric toothbrushes. Measurement of droplet production and size was recorded in vitro using three methods: (1) Malvern Spraytec (LASER particle size measurement device with detectable particle size of 0.1–2500 µm) and brushes mounted on a 3D-printed, two-shell form-fit fixture with a supply of tap water; (2) a DustTrak aerosol measurement device and toothpaste slurry, with brushing simulated in the oral cavity of a phantom head; (3) high-speed visualization in a simulated-use situation in the oral cavity of a phantom head, with individual evaluation of tap water, water with detergent, 70% ethanol, glycerin and toothpaste slurry. Both brushes showed the size of emitted droplets was consistently between 200 and 1200 µm, categorized as splatter (dental aerosols are <50 µm diameter). No significant incremental aerosol-sized matter was detected during toothbrush operation. The high-speed video visualization confirmed only splatter-sized droplets during operation. These findings indicate that oscillating-rotating toothbrushes do not produce aerosol-sized particles during simulated use.

Keywords: toothbrushing; electric toothbrush; aerosols; oral hygiene (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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