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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting consumers and dental care professionals that the Arm & Hammer Spinbrush, previously sold as the Crest Spinbrush, can malfunction and cause face and mouth injuries or choke users. The risks posed are higher in children who are not supervised while using the battery-powered brush, the FDA warns.

In models made for adults, the Spinbrush head can “pop off,” causing broken teeth, cuts in the face or mouth, or choking. The “Spinbrush for Kids” models, which have kid-friendly handle designs, have been reported to cut children’s lips and burn children when the batteries overheat. In addition, the bristles can fall off and lodge in children’s tonsils.

In light of these hazards, the FDA recommends inspecting the brush for damage and testing it outside the mouth before use; not biting down on the brush head; and supervising children when they use the brush.