Packing for a trip or vacation can be both exciting and tedious. You and your children may be wracked with excitement over the journey ahead while simultaneously sweating over the small things… like forgetting a toothbrush.
Getting all the toiletries together helps ensure you and your family can practice good oral hygiene. Still, you may be wondering how to travel with an electric toothbrush or if you can pack it before going on the plane, as opposed to needing a manual toothbrush. And what about the battery charge in electric toothbrushes? Is that an issue?
Before you and the kiddos venture out for your next big trip, read about traveling with an electric toothbrush, where you should pack it, and why an electric toothbrush won’t hold you up when you’re in the line at TSA.
Can You Bring an Electric Toothbrush on a Plane?
Yes, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) states that electric toothbrushes are allowed on planes. You can choose to stow your electric toothbrush or toothbrushes in both checked and carry-on luggage, depending on the contents of the device.
According to the TSA, devices containing lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries should be placed in carry-on bags. Most other devices are allowed in checked and carry-on baggage. Check with your airline or TSA before determining whether you can bring your electric toothbrush on the plane.
This begs the question: what kind of batteries do electric toothbrushes use, and are they rechargeable?
Do Electric Toothbrushes Have Lithium Batteries?
Some electric toothbrushes come with lithium batteries. These toothbrushes should be carried in your carry-on bag when traveling.
Lithium batteries have high voltage. However, anything powered by these batteries typically comes at a very high price point, and lithium is extremely sensitive to high temperatures. They might also require protection from being completely discharged.
What Batteries Do Spinbrush™ Toothbrushes Use?
Spinbrush™ electric toothbrushes come with either one or two AA alkaline batteries depending on the model. Some models contain Duracell batteries. Other contain Golden Power or Nanfeng alkaline batteries.
Thus, you can stash your Spinbrush™ toothbrush in your carry-on or, if things get tight in carry-on bags, you can pack it in a checked bag.
Alkaline batteries have high energy density and long lifespans. Additionally, alkaline batteries are safe, and used ones are almost always recyclable.
What is a Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush?
A rechargeable electric toothbrush, or power toothbrush, is one powered by a charging station that plugs into an outlet. They are not battery-powered and, like some battery-powered electric toothbrushes, generally need replacement heads every few months.
Now that we’ve covered some of the differences in electric toothbrushes, let’s get into some tips on how to travel with them.
Travel Tips When You Have an Electric Toothbrush
Heading to a tropical destination with the kids? Great, time to catch some rays! Just make sure to pack your electric toothbrush and have a sense of repetition when it comes to brushing. Here are some tips for traveling with an electric toothbrush:
1.Know What Kind of Electric Toothbrush You Own
Whether you own one electric toothbrush or multiple, the first and most important step before you prepare to travel is knowing what kind(s) you have in the house.
Is your electric toothbrush battery-powered? If the answer is yes and the brush uses lithium or lithium ion, make sure you or your kids keep it in the carry-on bag. Or, if you own a Spinbrush™ electric toothbrush powered by alkaline batteries, you can put it in your carry-on or lump it in with the checked luggage. Maybe you own multiple rechargeable electric toothbrushes. In this case, remind yourself and or your kids to bring the charging port for the journey ahead.
2. Pack Similar Items Together
When consolidating your items during the packing process, it’s a good idea to pack similar items together. So, you might want to put your electric toothbrush in your dock kit or other toiletry bag or consider getting an electric toothbrush travel case. If your kids want to travel with their favorite rechargeable electric toothbrush, consider packing the charging port with other chargers—like phones or laptops—or electronic gadgets.
Regardless, having a sense of organization is critical when you’re planning to travel, and that includes knowing exactly where you put the electric toothbrush!
3. Replace Toothbrush Heads or Batteries, If Needed
You might not know how much life remains in your battery-powered brushes at home. Well, it’s hard to travel with an electric toothbrush that doesn’t have any charge left! For those reasons, you might want to replace the batteries before you depart.
If you have a Spinbrush™ electric toothbrush for adults, hold the brush with the brush head pointing down before pulling off the battery cap. You can then remove and replace the batteries, as needed. For Kid’s Spinbrush™ toothbrushes, use a small screwdriver to remove the screw holding the battery door (on the back of the brush) in place, then pull the battery door downward. Replace the single battery, slide the door back into place, and screw it back in to secure it.
Should you own an adult Spinbrush™ toothbrush with a replaceable head, like Spinbrush™ PRO CLEAN or Spinbrush™ PRO WHITEN, you might also consider replacing it before your trip. Twist the brush head counterclockwise 90 degrees and pull away from the handle to remove, then slide the replacement head on and turn clockwise 90 degrees until the arrows are aligned.
As a rule of thumb, you should change the brush heads on your electric toothbrush every 3 months or if the head feels worn or loose. Not doing so can lead to breakage.
4. Keep the Same Oral Hygiene Routines
Getting your kids to brush their teeth might prove difficult on vacation. They may yearn to head to the pool or demand to get their skis to hit the slopes in the morning. Encourage them to keep to their usual oral hygiene schedules!
It’s important to brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time, no matter where in the world you and your kids find yourselves. If you brush with your kids in the morning and before bed at night, stick to that routine! After all, a bright smile and healthy teeth and gums are nice complements to a fresh tan!
5. Clean Your Electric Toothbrush During & After Travel
You should always know how to clean an electric toothbrush, but it’s especially important when you travel. The toothbrush head may pick up some extra debris or dirt especially when you’re trying to pack it into a tight suitcase or if your dock kit or toiletry bag is a bit cluttered.
Note that you should never fully submerge an electric toothbrush in water. Doing so puts the toothbrush at risk of water leakage and damage or breaking. Instead, remove the toothbrush head and scrub thoroughly with water. It’s a good idea to do this after each use. At the very least, you should clean your toothbrush before you travel and as soon as you return from your trip.
Bring Your Spinbrush™ Toothbrush Along for the Ride!
Although you might think a manual toothbrush is more portable for travel, electric toothbrushes are more effective at removing plaque and helping to prevent cavities than manual toothbrushes. Plus, Spinbrush™ toothbrushes can be stored in carry-on or checked luggage, offering you and your kids some space and variety in how you choose to pack!
Haven’t considered an electric toothbrush before? Try some of our favorites, including:
- Spinbrush™ PRO+ Deep Clean Toothbrush removes 100% more plaque vs. a manual toothbrush and has a hydro-blocking SoftSwitch that helps prevent water from leaking inside the toothbrush.
- Spinbrush™ PRO Whiten Toothbrush delivers whiter teeth in one week* and has a hydro-blocking SoftSwitch that helps prevent water from leaking inside the toothbrush.
- Spinbrush™ Smart Clean™ Glow in the Dark Toothbrush includes a 2-minute timer and 30-second pacer to help guide kids through the brushing process. Plus, it glows in the dark, offering an element of fun and mysteriousness during your kiddos’ nighttime brushing on vacation!
*when used with regular toothpaste.
So, the next time you travel, bring your favorite Spinbrush™ electric toothbrush with you!