Electronic toothbrushes marked a huge improvement in dental technology and oral health in the 1950s. But while this type of toothbrush has been on the market for more than half a century, it has only been in the recent past that they’ve become accessible for everyone at all price points.
And as much as it’s a drag to admit, with technology can come technology failures. Unlike other devices that you know how to troubleshoot, electronic toothbrushes can be a mystery for many consumers. We understand the tension between just wanting to throw it away and purchase a new one, or trying to figure out the problem and save a little money by repairing it.
Keep reading as we give you a basic lesson on electric toothbrush troubleshooting and tips on how to fix your favorite piece of technology in the bathroom!
Charging problems
If your toothbrush can’t hold a charge and no longer turns on when, then it’s somewhat useless as an electric toothbrush!
The first thing to check is the outlet that it’s plugged into. Make sure other devices will charge or turn on in the same plug. Sometimes switches can get flipped in the bathroom without you noticing.
Also, take note of the charging surface. Some of our patients have placed their toothbrush on a metal plate, and unfortunately, that can interfere with the current and cause charging problems. Make sure your toothbrush and charger are directly on the counter.
Finally, make sure that if your toothbrush requires you to switch something to “on” before charging that the switch has been flipped. Some Oral-B products, for example have this.
If none of these tips work it might be time to consider an electric toothbrush replacement. Before going the store, check your model online to see if it’s under a warranty. Many products come with a standard two-year warranty. Contact the manufacturer through their website and ask about a replacement. If it is over two years old, it might be best to start researching new models on the market and treat yourself to an upgrade.
The head is damaged or not moving
First, let’s troubleshoot the easier possibility first. If the bristles on the brush are looking ragged, then the good news is: this is probably going to be an easy fix. Dentists recommend you change the head every three months since, over time, the bristles lose their ability to effectively clean your teeth. A toothbrush with stiff and straight bristles will be able to remove the most plaque.
If the head of your toothbrush is not moving at all, it could be a harder problem to resolve. First, when you switch on your brush and notice the head isn’t moving, note any other sounds coming from the brush:
- If it sounds like it’s on, then you can narrow the problem down to a head issue.
- If no sound is coming out, then it could be a problem with the brush itself.
If you determine that it’s the head that’s the source of the trouble, look for the small metal shaft located under the brush head. If the toothbrush is on, the metal should spin in a circle. If that isn’t happening, it could be handle issue.
At this point in the troubleshooting if you still have no moving head, we encourage you to look into your warranty. Even if your toothbrush is out of warranty, some companies will at least help you try to resolve the problem.
Depending on how tech savvy you are, it could be easy to purchase after-market parts or manufacturer parts to fix issues if you really love your brush. In addition, YouTube and manufacturer websites contain tutorials on how to fix simple issues.
Have you had a toothbrush issue? Have you learned anything else about the inner workings of your electric toothbrush?
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