| The quest for a better toothbrush
is a $3.4 billion industry in the United States. The
once lowly toothbrush has evolved into a lifestyle
accessory and changed the brushing habits of millions,
according to an article in the February 2003 issue of AGD
Impact, the newsmagazine of the Academy of General
Dentistry.
Children's toothbrushes have
probably changed more than any other toothbrush on the
market. What used to be a neglected market is now
flourishing as more designers - and parents - are
recognizing that children's mouths are not simply
smaller versions of adult mouths, but unique oral
topographies that are constantly changing and thus have
unique needs. Many companies have designed lines of
manual and power toothbrushes specifically for children
ranging in ages from 4 months to 8 years and older.
While esthetic changes have played
a large role in toothbrush redesign, manufacturers say
the focus has been on helping people improve their
brushing.
"The best brush is the one
someone uses," said Bob Roesch, DDS, MAGD,
spokesperson for the Academy. "A lot of people
might say that a lot of toothbrush advances are
gimmicks, but if they get people to brush longer that's
fantastic."
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