A new GOST has been developed that allows the production of ultra-soft toothbrushes

Requirements for dental care devices have become much softer

The new GOST for toothbrushes was developed by the Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Before its release on the territory of the CIS countries, the Soviet standard, released back in 1991, was in force. As it became known to MK, the new standard applies to three types of brushes: for brushing teeth, for cleaning interdental spaces and dentures. The brush of the second type is also known under the speaking name monobeam: it has only one “bush” of bristles, but the brush of the third type has two working surfaces, one – the same as that of a conventional brush, only curved, the second is made in the form of one thick beam. With a wide brush, artificial teeth and the outer surface of the base of the prosthesis and orthopedic apparatus are cleaned, with a narrow brush – the concave part of the palatine surface of the base of the prosthesis or orthopedic apparatus (the bed of the toothless part of the cavity).

The old GOST clearly defined the material from which the bundles for the working surface of the brushes should be made – from “treated, bleached, drawn porcine bristles”, or from synthetic fiber. The modern standard simply states that the fiber for brushes can be natural or synthetic, as long as the bristles are straight and the synthetic fiber is burr-free.

In addition, the Soviet document indicated that the brush block (handle and head with a working surface) could be made from styrene or organic glass copolymers, and the bundles to the working surface were supposed to be fastened with an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc (nickel silver). Now, when the number of materials has increased, this is not regulated. Previously, the package with a brush had to have a reminder “Rinse in warm running water! Store in a vertical position with the working part up! ”, Now this is not necessary.

In addition, the developers of the new document have reduced the number of age categories of brush users from three, namely preschoolers, schoolchildren and adults, to two – children under 14 and adults. However, manufacturers may optionally indicate the age of the children for whom the brush is most suitable. By softness, brushes are divided into hard, medium and soft, but it is also possible to produce extra soft, ultra-soft and super-soft brushes. In addition to Russia, the new GOST will operate in Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.