RADIUS was founded on the Caribbean island of Tortola. James O'Halloran and Kevin Foley were two architects fascinated by the idea of a functional and enjoyable toothbrush. They were appalled at the small headed, hard toothbrushes of the day. Research indicates that the major problem in oral hygiene is that of compliance: people don't brush their teeth for long enough and tend to keep their toothbrush for too long. The average brushing time is from 31 to 65 seconds, depending on age or sex. The average toothbrush is thrown away after 10 months.

Dentists believe that with diligence, teeth and gums could be perfectly maintained for a lifetime. RADIUS aimed to make the toothbrush comfortable, enjoyable and effective. With a mass of very soft bristles, a large head area for low pressure brushing and a comfortable handle, this toothbrush lets you brush lightly and accurately.

The RADIUS Original Toothbrush was designed in early 1982 and was followed by a lengthy gestation period that lasted until late 1983. The partners moved themselves and families from Tortola to Manhattan for final product development.

The final design had 6,500 very thin bristles (about 2/3 the thickness of an Oral B 40 and four times more bristles). It came in right or left handed versions and the body of the toothbrush was made of cellulose, a plant based plastic. The design was revolutionary - nobody had ever thought of using very fine filaments or of using a large head to lower pressure on the gums. The idea of actually making a handle that responded to the right and left orientation of the world's population was regarded as scandalous. This design did not fit into the little slots that toothbrushes were sold from. These slots had been the main determinant of the shape of a toothbrush for 50 years.

The head was an organic oval shape, the tufts of bristles arranged so that they did not line up in parallel. This meant they did not repetitively track along the gum line and cause erosion. In 1982 all other toothbrushes had rectangular heads – but by 1992, all had followed RADIUS into oval heads.

In early 1984 RADIUS Toothbrush won the "Accent on Design" award for the most innovative use of design. Sales to specialty stores increased and the company became well established.

A fan club developed, Sting called to find out where he could pick up a RADIUS on a US tour, Whoopi Goldberg talked about RADIUS on TV, Robert Redford wouldn't be without his, Jane Fonda had several in each of her houses and Cher refused to give up hers to an artist seeking to incorporate it into a painting of her.

Before RADIUS embarks on making a new product, they put the concept through an evaluation to make sure that they are not just producing more landfill waste in the name of progress.

1) The design has to work well and enrich the lives of their customers.
2) It has to last long enough to amortize the investment of resources in its manufacture.
3) It has to be based on good science and research.

Durability
RADIUS Toothbrushes are designed to last a long time - usually two to three times longer than regular toothbrushes. The handles are larger because they want people to hold the brush lightly and apply low pressure to tooth and gum.

When a RADIUS has finished it's life as a toothbrush, it remains useful in the kitchen or garage and will have another long useful phase before being recycled.

Bristles
Nylon is used because it absorbs very little moisture and has the ability to bounce back to its original shape after use, making it durable and long lasting.

RADIUS' product design and packaging is part of a continuous project. Source reduction is a major philosophical component of the design approach:

• Products are designed to last longer.
• Packaging – an unavoidable byproduct – can be re-used or recycled.
• RADIUS works with their major customers to reduce all shipping materials.

New Packaging
Here's why RADIUS decided to go with new packaging:

1) Less waste plastic.
2) Saves on shipping costs.
3) Less fuel used in transportation.

Less waste plastic
While the idea of reusable travel case packaging is a good one, customers were still getting a new hunk of plastic with each purchase, resulting in dedicated RADIUS users having multiple travel cases in their bathrooms.

RADIUS went back to the drawing board to find a way of reducing the total material consumption. Research led to a lightweight modified clamshell design. This format protects the toothbrush, allows customers in stores to see the product, and most importantly, uses very few resources. A further advantage is that in the future RADIUS will transfer the clear shell from oil-based plastic to 100% renewable resource plant-based plastic – fully compostable. The card backing is recyclable and in the future will be made of post-consumer recycled paper.

Less fuel used in transportation
An often overlooked factor in packaging and shipping is the hidden environmental impact of fuel. Simply put, the less something weighs the less fuel it will take to move it from one place to another.

In a world where precious fossil fuel resources are being depleted at an alarming rate, it is important to conserve by any means possible. By switching to new lightweight packaging, RADIUS has lessened fuel consumption in shipping. Their calculations indicate that they will conserve 5,700 gallons of fossil fuel per year.**

** fuel consumption data provided by Center for Energy and Climate Solutions (CECS).

The History of RADIUS Packaging
Packaging is a field that is in permanent evolution. RADIUS started in 1983 with a simple cardboard folding box, but soon discovered that customers ripped open the box to see the color and shape of the toothbrush inside. They moved to clear plastic folding boxes - no opened boxes, but the carton became trash once opened.

In 1992 RADIUS started manufacturing plastic boxes that doubled as packaging to sell and ship in as well as a container to carry your toothbrush on trips or protect it in the bathroom. These containers had a long and useful life before being recycled. The plastic box, although recyclable, was also heavy and consumed a lot of fuel in shipping.

In 2005 RADIUS started investigating lighter packaging and the potential of plant based plastics. The amount of freight used in the distribution of their products represents a major part of its energy use profile. A decision was made to change to a new type of package, called a mock clamshell. The clear plastic front is very light and the card can be made from recycled materials.

Basic Oral Care - recommendations of the American Dental Association:
• Brush twice a day with a soft toothbrush - RADIUS brushes are primarily available in soft.
• Use a fluoride containing toothpaste - fluoride has been shown to maintain existing teeth by repairing the damage caused by bacteria.*
• Angle your brush towards the gums when brushing - the RADIUS brushes all have this angle built into them.
• Use a gentle touch - RADIUS brushes have very large surface area to lower the pressure on the gums and teeth. It does not take a lot of pressure to remove the sticky plaque from the surface of the teeth.
• Brushing your tongue is recommended for bacteria removal and fresh breath.*
• Floss between the teeth at least once a day.
• Use dental appliances to get between teeth and in the gum line - these devices help in maintaining an excellent dentition and gum condition.*

Selecting a toothbrush
Toothbrushes are evaluated by the American Dental Association and given the ACCEPTED accreditation if they pass the stringent research tests. There is little reason to not buy a toothbrush carrying the ADA seal - they are readily available and most professional toothbrush companies submit their products to the Dental School laboratories for testing.

AllRADIUS toothbrushes carry the ADA seal.

 The American Dental Association:
The RADIUS Toothbrush is Accepted as an effective cleansing device that has been shown to remove plaque and reduce gingivitis when used as directed in a program of good oral hygiene to supplement regular professional care.* 

What does soft mean and why is it so important?
Soft toothbrushes have nylon bristles of 0.007" diameter or less. These bristles are hard enough to remove sticky plaque but not so hard that they cause damage to the soft tissues of the gum. All bristles should be end-rounded, which means that the toothbrush maker has run the bristle tips through a polishing machine to round the rough cut ends of the filaments. Massaging gum tissue is recommended to dislocate plaque at or below the gum line and to stimulate blood circulation.*

The American Dental Association recommends the use of soft toothbrushes. RADIUS only makes soft through ultra soft brushes. As opposed to most manufacturers, RADIUS uses a gram force gauge to measures the bristle pressure. Most toothbrushes measure over 100 grams, whereas all RADIUS brushes measure below this number.

How long do toothbrushes last?
The answer is "it depends on the user". Wear depends on the user and the shape of their teeth. Toothbrushes should, however, be changed when the bristles splay out and the central area becomes matted. RADIUS Toothbrushes are designed to last two to three times longer than traditional toothbrushes.

Can my toothbrush re-infect me with a cold or the flu?
Toothbrushes have never been shown to re-infect users with infections that they have already recovered from.* There are over 200 forms of bacteria in a human mouth - over half of them are beneficial to our health. Our bodies live in balance with the immune system battling the negative effects of bacteria. Filling our bodies with anti-bacterial substances is likely to upset this balance and many medical associations are petitioning for a halt in the use of these substances. They believe that their use will diminish the power of the immune system and also lead to the development of super-bugs that can overcome commonly prescribed medicines.

What are the benefits of using a RADIUS?
RADIUS uses an integrated approach to design toothbrushes that perform better than your standard toothbrush:

• Very thin bristles that reach far down into the sulcus (space between gum and tooth) where inflammation and plaque develop.
• Very soft bristles - about half the hardness.
• Many more bristles - up to 6,500 vs. around 2,000.
• Longer life - 60% of users report three times longer.
• Massage gums - the lower pressure and thinner bristles give a very comfortable feel that encourages massage of sensitive gums.
• Wide head format - brushes teeth and massages gums simultaneously.
• Angled brushing - the right/left hand configuration gives automatic 45 degree angulation to the teeth, as recommended by the ADA.
• Large handle prevents excess pressure due to over-gripping the toothbrush handle.

From what materials are RADIUS toothbrushes made?
RADIUS uses Tynex nylon from DuPont for all its toothbrushes - the diameter of the nylon and the length of the bristle are the main determinants of softness. Tynex is silky smooth and absorbs very little water, and the ends can be polished to a smooth finish.

Why so many bristles?
In lieu of using a small number of thick and hard bristles, RADIUS uses a large number of very thin bristles . This develops the customary silky soft feel of a RADIUS - it allows you to brush for a long time without effort.

Are the bristles polished and rounded?
RADIUS makes its toothbrushes on Boucherie machines - this company is the leading manufacturer in the world of bristling machinery. All its machines automatically polish the toothbrushes as they are being bristled. RADIUS runs continuous checks during manufacturing to ensure that polishing is up to their standards.

Why does the Original RADIUS have bubbles in the handle?
The bubbles are caused by the plastic shrinking as it freezes from the heat of molding and falls into a bath of chilled water.

At what age should a child convert to an adult brush?
RADIUS bristles are very soft and do not damage children's (or adults') teeth. The change should be made when the size of the child's jaw increases to the point where the KIDZ brush is no longer doing an adequate job - this is typically at about 12 years old. Many adults with small jaws use the KIDZ brush.

Color in the bristles - what is it made from?
All bristle colors used comply with US Federal Drug Administration Regulation 21 CFR 178.3297 - colorant levels below 1% by weight and no heavy metal based pigments. All plastics and filaments have been tested for extraction and no significant colorant extraction shown. All colors comply with all applicable standards in Europe and to the US Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Electric Toothbrushes - do they work and should I be using one?
There is an enormous amount of hype surrounding the marketing of electric and manual toothbrushes. The Cochrane Collaboration has done one of the rare studies on electric toothbrushes that was not financed and supported by manufacturers. The study makes the conclusion that most electric toothbrushes offer no quantifiable advantage over manual toothbrushes.* 

What material is the Original Toothbrush handle made from?
Cellulose Propionate, a wood based natural plastic, 93% of which is derived from sustainable yield forests in North Carolina.

What material is the Kidz Toothbrush handle made from?
Polypropylene, a very strong but light plastic derived from oil. For children these qualities overrode the choice of a natural plastic. It is a pint-sized version of the Original with even softer bristles.

What material is the SCUBA Toothbrush handle made from?
The soft rubbery plastic is Kraton and the head is polypropylene - both of these are derived from oil. Unfortunately no natural alternative exists to create such flexibility.

Why is the handle so large?
The RADIUS design uses a large handle to make holding the brush easy - many people transfer pressure onto their gums through gripping a flimsy toothbrush handle too tightly. Since the inception of the RADIUS Original in 1983, many other toothbrush manufacturers have followed with larger handles, but because of the size of the toothbrush rack in stores others are not prepared to risk enlarging them to the size really needed.

Can adults use Kidz and get the same results?
RADIUS uses very soft bristles for adults and children. The Kidz brush has 5,000 bristles - over twice the number of standard brushes - it does an excellent job of plaque removal for children and adults with smaller mouths.

Manufacturing - where are RADIUS toothbrushes made?
Kutztown - in Pennsylvania's Hex country - RADIUS restored the nineteenth century Heffner-Dietrich mill in the center of town in 1988. Their toothbrushes and packaging are all made in this mill. RADIUS is one of the most hi-tech toothbrush manufacturers in the world and has state of the art equipment and quality control.

Hard bristles - why doesn't RADIUS use them?
Hard bristles can do serious damage to the teeth and gums.*

Natural Bristles - why doesn't RADIUS use them?
The toothbrush product lines that RADIUS makes were not designed for natural bristles.

Original and the Scuba - what is the difference?
The two toothbrushes share the same shape - the Original is made of rigid cellulose plastic - the SCUBA is made of flexible rubber. The SCUBA is aimed at people who use too much pressure when brushing - it bends under pressure and lets you know.

Vs.

Recyclable - what is recyclable?
The packaging of all RADIUS products carries the recycling code applicable to that material. Due to the dissimilar materials (bristles and handle are two different materials) and that toothbrushes have staples securing the bristles, they cannot be recycle coded.

RADIUS has looked into having the toothbrushes returned to them to be recycled, but has proven that it uses more energy and irreplaceable raw materials (in the form of oil) than it saves. RADIUS turns into a wonderful kitchen vegetable brush and is very handy for years after it has retired from its oral hygiene role.

Replaceable heads - why not replace the head on a RADIUS?
The mold and machine makers (in Belgium) feel that this would not be a safe design for the RADIUS Original and SCUBA -  RADIUS does, however, make two lighter toothbrushes called Intelligent and Source that have replaceable heads.

Right or left hand - why?
Toothbrushes are used either right or left handed - early experiments proved that it was easier to manipulate the brush and achieve excellent results with asymmetric brushes. The asymmetric layout of the Original and SCUBA places the bristles automatically at an angle to the teeth - as recommended by the ADA. The offset of the head amplifies the movement of your hand - a small hand movement becomes a larger one in your mouth - this is sympathetic to the accuracy of human hand movement.

Why is the head of the toothbrush so large?
The larger a surface, the lower the pressure applied. Having such a large head, RADIUS applies far less pressure on your gums - this allows you to massage and enjoy brushing - dentists agree that the people who enjoy brushing are those who have great teeth. This is part of the basic design system of RADIUS toothbrushes. By using a larger head with a large number of soft bristles, brushing becomes more effective in removing plaque and massaging the gums, gently and enjoyably.*

RADIUS surveys show that the most popular feature of their toothbrushes is the oversize head - 99% of users liked this feature the most.

Why are the RADIUS toothbrushes so expensive?
• They are made by hand from very high quality materials and each one is carefully inspected - standard toothbrushes are made automatically without manual inspection.
• They last considerably longer, while remaining more effective, and the life cycle cost is less than standard brushes.