We all want a sparkling white smile, and an electric toothbrush is an easy and effective way to clean your teeth. But like all electrical appliances, they come with safety risks.
Electric Toothbrush Safety
- Make sure you buy your electric toothbrush from a reputable retailer, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
- It’s important to register a new electric toothbrush with the manufacturer so that you can be contacted if a safety notice or recall is required. It also makes it easier for you to return a faulty product or order a repair. To register any of your appliances, regardless of age, visit our Product Registration page.
- Use our Product Recalls checker to see if your electric toothbrush has been recalled.
- Check that your appliance has a UK plug; if it doesn’t, don’t try to use a UK travel adaptor. Get in touch with the retailer and ask for their advice.
- If your electric toothbrush plugs into the wall, do regular checks of the plug and socket for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch. If you have fuses blowing or circuit-breakers tripping then contact a registered electrician to investigate.
- If your electric toothbrush is battery-powered, make sure you use the correct batteries and insert them according to instructions.
- Any socket you plan to use to plug in an electric toothbrush should have RCD (residual current device) Protection. An RCD is a life-saving device that protects against dangerous electric shock and reduces the risk of electrical fires. If you don’t have RCD protection in your fuse box for your sockets, consider using an RCD plug to protect you and your property from serious appliance faults.
Safe Use
- Check the cord of your electric toothbrush regularly for any signs of damage. If you spot any damage, replace the toothbrush.
- If the electric toothbrush is dropped, replace the brush head even if there are no signs of damage.
- Don’t let a child under the age of 3 use an electric toothbrush. Once they’re old enough, make sure they use a child-friendly brush with softer bristles and an easy to grip handle.
- Don’t submerge the charging station and cord in water.