It’s a broad question. Are we talking about the entire lifespan of the electric toothbrush, just its battery life, or brush heads?
Since there are different parts of an electric toothbrush which can last a limited amount of time, let’s discuss all three.
Electric Toothbrush Lifespan
An electric toothbrush can function perfectly for 5 years, or more – but expect the batter to require replacing within this time. The lifespan of your electric toothbrush will depend on the brand and how you care for the brush. Expect a very cheap electric toothbrush to last less than 5 years, and a more premium model to serve you well for longer.
Brand and cost aside, even the most premium electric toothbrush won’t last long if it’s mishandled. Care plays a huge role in how long the toothbrush will last and function without fault.
Both of the biggest electric toothbrush brands – Braun and Philips – offer two-year warranties on their electric toothbrush, so if there’s a failure within that time, you’ll get a replacement.
The two-year duration of your Oral-B warranty begins on the date of purchase. During the time period covered by the warranty, they will replace any damaged original parts with new, original replacements, or a comparable or better toothbrush.
Scratches and other blemishes are not covered by the warranty, nor are any issues resulting from general wear and tear, misuse, water damage, dirt, tampering, failed repair by non-authorised Braun agents or any modifications.
Please take note that the guarantee only applies to the electric gadget alone, and not any of the included accessories – travel care, phone holder, brush head holder, etc.
How Long Do Electric Toothbrush Heads Last
Dentists advise replacing the head of your toothbrush every 3 – 4 months to maintain optimal cleaning. Toothbrush bristles will last beyond 4 months – whether they’re manual or electric – but after this point, the bristles will start to deteriorate, fray, lose rigidity, and become dirty.
Of course, this wear and tear will have a negative impact on your brush’s ability to remove plaque, which is why it’s best to replace the toothbrush head every 3 months – 4 tops.
Thankfully, it’s very easy to replace electric toothbrush heads. Unlike a manual toothbrush which has to be thrown away, only the heads of an electric toothbrush need to be replaced, and a lot of built-in indicators to let you know when it’s time to change, so you don’t have to mark any dates in your calendar.
Brush heads equipped with Oral-B Clean Maximiser tech change bristle colour to signal when it’s time to switch to a new head, guaranteeing that you’ll always have a fresh, effective brush. And if you have the iO or Oral-B app it let you know when your brush needs changing.
Every three months under normal use (twice-daily brushing), or whenever the blue indication bristles get worn, you should swap out the brush head on your Philips Sonicare electric toothbrush. A worn brush head is less effective at removing plaque, which is why it’s important to replace your brush at the appropriate intervals.
Make a mental note that some Philips Sonicare toothbrushes contain a brush head reminder. When it’s time to change the brush head, the replacement icon on the handle will begin to blink rapidly. In the course of routine use (brushing x2 daily for two mins), the reminder should appear around every three months.
How Long Do Electric Toothbrush Batteries Last
If you charge your electric toothbrush’s built-in Lithium-Ion battery regularly, can expect it to last between 2 – 3 years, or through 500 charges. A single charging cycle consists of one full discharge followed by a full recharge.
You can extend the life of your electric toothbrush’s battery by being mindful of how often and for how long you brush. When fully charged, the battery can last for at least two to three weeks without needing to be charged – assuming twice-daily two-minute brushing sessions.
But of course, even a premium rechargeable lithium-ion battery won’t last forever and will need replacing within 3 years. Replacement rechargeable batteries are available to buy online but Oral-B do not recommend changing the battery yourself for fear of damage to the waterproof seal and internal components, so check with the manufacturer before attempting to replace any defective batteries and understand that you are ultimately responsible for the repair.
To get the most from the batter, stick to the recommended twice-daily brushing session not exceeding two minutes, and do not apply too much pressure as this will make the motor work harder.
How you handle your electric toothbrush, where you keep it, and how often you use it can all affect how long it lasts. If you take care of it, you can extend its lifespan. Even with regular use, the internal components of an electric toothbrush might wear out and eventually fail, marking the end of the product’s life cycle.
