An electric toothbrush is a great investment for improving your oral hygiene. Electric toothbrushes have been shown to remove more plaque and reduce gingivitis more than manual brushing. However, like any gadget, electric toothbrushes require proper care and maintenance to keep them working their best. Read on to learn everything you need to know about caring for your electric toothbrush.
Why It’s Important to Clean Your Electric Toothbrush
Cleaning your electric toothbrush regularly is crucial for the following reasons:
- Prevents Mold and Bacteria Buildup – Electric toothbrushes pick up bacteria from your mouth. If not cleaned, moist bristles are breeding grounds for mold, yeast, and bacteria.
- Extend Toothbrush Lifespan – Regular cleaning keeps your toothbrush head working properly and extends the life of your brush.
- Ensure Effective Plaque Removal – Over time, residue builds up on the bristles affecting their vibration and cleaning power. Proper care keeps bristles debris-free.
- Safeguard Oral Health – Letting germs accumulate on your toothbrush reintroduces them into your mouth, increasing your risk of cavities, gingivitis, and infection.
Electric Toothbrush Cleaning Frequency Recommendations
- After Each Use – Quickly rinse your brush head under running water.
- Every 3 Days – Thoroughly clean the brush head and exterior surfaces.
- Every Week – Disinfect your toothbrush to kill harmful microorganisms.
- Every 3 Months – Replace brush heads for maximum cleaning power.
Follow these simple, routine cleaning procedures to keep your electric toothbrush providing exceptional dental hygiene.
Supplies You’ll Need
Gathering the right supplies makes cleaning your electric toothbrush quick and easy. Have these items on hand:
- Soft-bristle toothbrush
- Toothpick or water flosser
- Small towel
- 91% isopropyl alcohol
- Toothbrush cover
- Distilled white vinegar
- Unscented dish soap
- Toothbrush sanitizer
Step-by-Step Deep Cleaning Guide
Set aside five minutes each week for a thorough deep clean. Follow these nine steps:
1. Remove the Brush Head
Twist the brush head counterclockwise to detach it. Avoid tugging or you may harm the small internal components.
2. Rinse Away Surface Residue
Hold the detached brush head under running water for 30 seconds, turning to rinse all sides. Pat dry with a small towel.
3. Clean Bristol Surfaces
Use a clean toothbrush, toothpick, or oral irrigator to dislodge trapped gunk between bristles. Rinse under water after scraping.
4. Wash With Dish Soap
Add a drop of mild dish soap to the bristles. Carefully scrub for 20 seconds then rinse thoroughly.
5. Disinfect the Bristles
Soak the bristles for 5 minutes in equal parts water and distilled white vinegar or 91% isopropyl alcohol solutions. Both disinfect and deodorize.
6. Air Dry
Stand the brush head upright on the towel allowing it to fully air dry before reattaching. Moisture left inside invites microbial growth.
7. Clean The Handle
Dampen clean cloth with your vinegar or alcohol cleaning solution. Wipe down the handle, crevices, buttons, and charging base.
8. Test Functionality
Reconnect the powered-on handle. Ensure the brush head still clicks on securely and vibrates normally.
9. Cover When Storing
Place bristles into the included travel case or slot the handle inside its charger base between uses. This protects bristles and internal components.
Repeat this weekly routine to keep your electric toothbrush working and looking like new while optimizing dental cleaning power.
Daily Care Tips
Incorporate these five quick care measures into your daily oral hygiene routine:
- Rinse After Brushing – Whenever possible, thoroughly rinse your electric toothbrush head under running water for 5-10 seconds after use. This flushes away visible toothpaste and residue.
- Store Separately – Always detach the brush head from the handle when not in use. Slotting the handle inside its charging base prevents excess moisture inside the shaft leading to mold growth.
- Keep Parts Intact – Don’t share brush heads between different handle models unless designed for interchangeability. Mixing incompatible parts risks damaging connectors or gears.
- Check For Damage – Regularly inspect your brush head for bent, frayed, or broken bristles. Cracked handles can no longer be adequately disinfected. Promptly replace damaged components.
- Air Dry Properly – Let your toothbrush head air dry horizontally with the bristle tufts facing down before capping or storing. This prevents water from seeping into the base.
What NOT To Do
- Avoid harsh abrasives like baking soda or bleach that strip surface finishes.
- Don’t brush too aggressively when cleaning. Delicate tufts are easily misshapen or detached.
- Never sterilize or place electric brush heads in the dishwasher, autoclave or boiling water. Extreme temperatures damage plastic and electronic parts.
- Don’t soak the brush longer than recommended or moisture gets inside the handle causing internal corrosion.
- Never share brush heads as you’ll end up exchanging harmful bacteria and illness with other users.
Special Cleaning for Travel
Follow this quick cleaning routine after using your electric toothbrush away from home to avoid carrying germs:
- Rinse well in hot water
- Squirt handle and bristles with alcohol-based sanitizer gel
- Scrub bristles gently with a clean fingertip
- Rinse under hot water
- Shake off excess moisture
- Let air dry completely before packing
Repeat after each trip for maximum protection and extend the usable life of your travel electric toothbrush.
Sanitizing Solutions You Can Make at Home
Commercial electric toothbrush sanitizing solutions can be pricey. Whip up these simple homemade options using ingredients found in your pantry:
Hydrogen Peroxide Disinfectant
- 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide
- 1 part water
All-Natural Cleaner
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 20-30 drops essential oils like peppermint or tea tree
- 1 cup water
Antibacterial Vinegar
- 1 part distilled white vinegar
- 1 part water
These inexpensive homemade mixtures effectively sanitize your electric toothbrush without leaving strong lingering odors.
Replacing Your Brush Head
The bristles on electric toothbrush heads wear down with normal use. Plan on replacing your brush head every 3 months, or sooner if:
- Bristles look frayed or melted
- Bristle tips appear blunt, flattened or split
- You notice looser than normal bristle clusters
Using worn out brush heads reduces cleaning effectiveness and can ultimately damage your electric toothbrush. New heads aren’t expensive and the improvement to your oral health is worth the small investment.
Extending Brush Head Life
You can safely stretch a brush head’s longevity to 4 months with proper care. Follow these tips:
- Clean rigorously each week
- Store your brush head in a hygienic case
- Use light pressure when brushing
- Avoid chewing on bristles
- Rinse thoroughly after each use
- Replace when damaged
Signs It’s Time for a New Toothbrush
If your electric toothbrush is more than a year or two old, consider replacing the entire unit. Look for these indicators it may be time to upgrade your brush:
- Battery won’t hold a full charge
- Brush motor sounds louder or strained
- Vibration seems weak or uneven
- Brushing isn’t as comfortable
- You need to replace heads more frequently
Today’s electric toothbrushes last 3-5 years or longer. Set a reminder on your calendar to swap out your toothbrush once it reaches the 3 year mark.
Selecting a New Electric Toothbrush
With so many electric toothbrushes on the market it can feel overwhelming trying to select one best suited to your needs. Keep these factors in mind when shopping for a replacement:
Bristle Type
Ultimate plaque removal relies more on optimized bristle motion rather than stiff brushes. American Dental Association accepts both soft and extra soft bristles. The gentler on teeth and gums the better.
Special Features
Look for desirable extras like built-in timers, pressure sensors and Bluetooth connectivity. Brushes with a mobile app let you track brushing efficiency.
Cost
Brush heads comprise your biggest ongoing expense. Under $25 replacements every 3 months easily save you money long term over very costly toothbrushes. Compare costs before you buy.
Power Source
Rechargeable electric toothbrushes surpass battery-powered ones for convenience and being more eco-friendly. But battery brushes suit occasional travelers fine.
Reviews
Positive reviews by both experts and buyers reassure about a brush’s quality and durability. This helps prevent disappointments down the road.
Choosing well means you’ll stick with better brushing discipline. Invest time upfront finding the ideal electric toothbrush model tailored exactly for you.
Troubleshooting Common Electric Toothbrush Problems
Electric toothbrushes boost your oral wellness when properly maintained. But like any small appliance problems sometimes arise. Review these troubleshooting tips before assuming yours requires service.
Battery Won’t Charge
- Check outlet connections
- Try charging via computer/other USB port
- Ensure metal charging contacts are clear
- Replace if battery lifespan exceeded
Not Vibrating
- Clean metal contacts
- Inspect brush head connection
- Replace brush head
- Contact manufacturer
Noisy Operation
- Rinse away hidden debris
- Assess vibration
- Replace brush head
- Have company inspect
Power Button Sticks
- Carefully scrape crusted gunk away
- Soak in warm vinegar solution
- Use airflow to dry hidden crevices
- Contact support staff for help
Leaking Water
- Never soak beyond recommended time
- Ensure head attachment is tight
- Store handle upright, not laying down
- Under warranty? Request replacement
Don’t hesitate reaching out to customer service for advice whenever you encounter problems with your electric toothbrush. Most companies happily troubleshoot over the phone or by email.
Storing Your Electric Toothbrush Safely
Proper storage between uses prevents damage and safeguards your oral health. Follow these best practice storage guidelines:
- Detach – Separate the brush head from the handle to avoid trapped moisture promoting microbial growth.
- Ventilate – Store handle and head upright in open air allowing inside parts to fully dry out.
- No Bathroom – Avoid humid environments. Heat and steam corrodes plastic and electronics.
- Capped Bristles – Use included travel cap or slot handle inside charger base to protect delicate bristles.
- Check Before Using – Inspect for damage before reattaching brush heads. Replace if any bending or cracking becomes visible.
- Disinfect Regularly – Apply UV sanitizing boxes, germicidal wands or antimicrobial bag spacers to eliminate harmful microbes from your stored electric toothbrush.
Traveling With Your Electric Toothbrush
Stay diligent about oral hygiene even when traveling. Follow these tips to keep your electric toothbrush clean and undamaged while on trips:
General Travel Tips
- Pack brush head detached to prevent breakage
- Use hygienic travel case or pouch
- Bring bottled water to rinse after use
- Include toothbrush sanitizing spray
- Request a sterile glass in hotels for soaking
Air Travel
- Avoid checking your toothbrush
- Carry brush head separate in carry-on
- Ask for distilled water sachets to make cleaning solution
- Request to use airport shower for rinsing
- Dry thoroughly before packing
International Travel
- Bring adaptor plugs for charging
- Buy distilled water abroad for soaking bristles
- Bring extra new brush heads
- Hand wash gently in boiled water
- Use sanitizing wipes on the go
Diligence to disinfect and care for your electric toothbrush while traveling gives you confidence it stays safe wherever you roam.
Alternative Cleaning Methods
While most electric toothbrush manufacturers specify using vinegar, soap and water for cleaning, you may wonder about using other methods instead. Consider these alternative techniques:
- Denture Cleaners – Some brands like Polident and Efferdent dissolve residue buildup effectively. Rinse thoroughly as most contain antimicrobials you don’t want lingering on bristles long term.
- Ultrasonic Cleaner – These machines ultrasonically vibrate solutions promoting deep cleaning. But extreme UV and high frequency sound deteriorates plastic over repeated use.
- Steam Sterilizers – Appliances utilizing hot steam kill germs on contact. However, heat degrades glue and plastic components decreasing brush head lifespan.
- UV Sanitizers – Completely portable, these rechargeable wands bathe brushes in germicidal ultraviolet light without heat or liquid. But effectiveness depends on thorough manual scrubbing first.
- Antibacterial Soap – Regular hand or dish soap eliminates microbes getting bristles squeaky clean. Avoid aggressive antimicrobial varieties as residual chemicals get ingested over time.
- Hydrogen Peroxide – The bubbling reaction dislodges gunk while whitening bristles. Rinse thoroughly after. Don’t use concentrations higher than 3% or it may damage plastic.
- Baby Bottle Cleaners – Non-toxic formulas dissolve milk and formula gunk effectively. But rinse completely to avoid residue ingestion.
Continue following the manufacturer’s recommendations for daily cleaning and brush head replacement. But alternate disinfection techniques help refresh your electric toothbrush between deeper cleanings.
Why Your Electric Toothbrush Matters
While manual brushing seems to get the job done, upgrading to an electric toothbrush greatly improves your oral wellness. Here’s why to invest in an electric model:
More Effective Plaque Removal
Electric brushes reduce plaque 21% more than manual ones. Spinning oscillating movements cover over 30,000 extra strokes per minute for you.
Better Reduction of Gingivitis
Inflamed, tender gums characteristic of gingivitis get reduced 13% more using powered bristles correctly.
Prevents Cavities
By disrupting biofilm where cavities start, electric brushes prevent tooth decay 62% better than traditional methods.
Improves Consistency
Built-in timers and sensors make following dentist-recommended brushing routines effortless. This improves consistency compared with sporadic human brushers.
Advanced Bristle Designs
Densely packed central tufts drive deep between teeth. Tapered filaments along the edges gently clean vulnerable gumlines more comfortably.
Modern Convenience Features
From Bluetooth connectivity to travel cases to personalized brushing programs, today’s electric toothbrushes include everything for making oral hygiene simpler.
Investing a little time in properly maintaining electric toothbrushes protects your smile in the long run. Don’t hesitate to reach out to manufacturers directly for personalized technical advice on caring for and troubleshooting your specific electric toothbrush model. Proper cleaning and storage keeps electric toothbrushes working their best year after year delivering exceptional dental hygiene.