Oral care doesn’t take a break, even when you’re on one. From cross-country trips to overseas vacation stays, your smile should continue to be healthy and confident. So, when you’re on-the-go, an electric toothbrush can be that travel companion your smile needs. Find out if you can bring an electric toothbrush on a plane, which electric toothbrush is best when on-the-go, and how to travel with an electric toothbrush no matter the destination.
Can You Bring an Electric Toothbrush on a Plane?
Wondering if you can bring an electric toothbrush on a plane? The short answer is yes! When packing for your flight, you have the choice of packing your electric toothbrush in either checked luggage or your carry-on.
If you’re flying with an electric toothbrush that features a lithium metal or lithium-ion battery it is recommended that you travel with it in your carry-on.
TSA Electric Toothbrush Rules & Regulations
Like most electronic devices, there are certain rules and regulations that should be followed when taking a flight. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is the agency responsible for setting those regulations to ensure everyone has a safe flight.
When it comes down to bringing an electric toothbrush on a plane, the TSA has outlined where to pack certain types of toothbrushes—which mainly comes down to the battery and a few personal preferences.
If your electric toothbrush has a built-in lithium-ion battery it is best to pack it in your carry-on instead of checked baggage. That’s because there is a small risk that the battery can glitch or malfunction.
Additional reasons why you should pack your electric toothbrush in a carry-on versus checked baggage include:
Lost or delayed baggage: Bags can get lost, and that risk can extend to your checked luggage. Since you need your electric toothbrush to carry out a thorough oral hygiene routine daily, it’s best to minimize this risk and pack it in your carry-on instead.
Brushing on the plane: You may find yourself needing to brush your teeth when on a flight. This is especially true for overnight or more lengthy trips. If your electric toothbrush is stowed away in your carry-on, you can easily retrieve when on a plane whenever you need it.
Stolen or lost valuables: It’s rare, but it can happen. There may be instances where something of value can go missing from your checked bag. Instead of taking the risk, consider packing your electric toothbrush in your carry-on.
You should also consider where to pack your toothpaste and just how much of it to bring. So, can you bring toothpaste on a plane? The TSA is less concerned about your electric toothbrush and more about your toothpaste. You can bring toothpaste on a plane but with certain regulations in mind. When packing a tube of toothpaste, especially in your carry-on, you should limit it to only 3.4 ounces.
It is also important to note that ultimately the final decision as to what you can and cannot bring on a plane is up to the TSA officer. Additionally, if you are traveling with spare lithium-ion batteries, you must disclose them to the TSA during the screening process.
Tips for Traveling with an Electric Toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes are great when traveling—most come with convenient pouches or travel cases. Plus, there’s the added advantage to your oral care. When compared to manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes are known to remove more plaque to deliver a better clean. So, whether you’re traveling on a plane or via car, here are a few tips to follow on how to travel with an electric toothbrush.
Clean Your Toothbrush Before Traveling
Maintaining your dental hygiene is crucial when traveling, and the first step starts before you even hit the road. Prior to traveling, make sure to clean your electric toothbrush thoroughly, focusing on the brush head, bristles, and handle. Start by rinsing your toothbrush head under water to remove any residue that may have accumulated on it. Be sure to decouple your brush head from the electric toothbrush handle as well. When cleaning your electric toothbrush handle, do not rinse it directly under water. Instead, wipe it down with a damp towel to avoid damage.
Bringing Charging Cord
Make sure to pack the appropriate charger for your electric toothbrush when traveling. Even if your toothbrush is fully charged prior to traveling, you don’t want to risk it running out of power while on your trip. If traveling abroad, you must also keep in mind the voltage of the country you are traveling to. If you’re planning to bring your Oral-B Electric Toothbrush on a plane for a non-domestic trip, check first to see if you’ll need a voltage converter and/or plug adapter.
Make Sure Electric Toothbrush is Fully Charged
When packing your electric toothbrush for travel, make sure the battery is fully charged. This helps ensure your electric toothbrush has enough power when you land and eliminates the worry of finding an outlet when inconvenient.
Use a Sealable Bag
When bringing your electric toothbrush on a plane, or when generally traveling with a toothbrush, always make sure to keep it sanitary. The best way to do so is to keep it in a sealable bag or pouch. This will help keep your electric toothbrush clean and dry. Be sure to keep your brush heads in their own travel pouch as well to better keep bacteria away from bristles. Once you’ve reached your destination, do not keep your toothbrush head covered. Air drying helps protect your bristles from staying wet or developing bacteria.
Pack Replacement Brush Heads
In case you lose your electric toothbrush head, or it becomes damaged in any way, always have spare brush heads on hand. Additional replacement brush heads help you maintain your oral care routine in the event that the original brush head you packed goes missing or breaks.
How Should Your Electric Toothbrush Be Cared for While Traveling?
Whether you’re at home or on-the-go, caring for your electric toothbrush is important. Always make sure to keep your electric toothbrush handle and brush heads clean.
After every use, make sure to decouple the brush head from the handle. Rinse the brush head to remove any leftover residue or toothpaste then wipe down the handle. Store your electric toothbrush in an upright position to allow it to air dry and keep the brush head uncovered unless traveling.
Aside from caring for your electric toothbrush when traveling, there are other measures to take to ensure your oral hygiene stays in ideal condition.
Other tips for oral care on-the-go include:
Snack healthy: Avoid over-snacking on foods that are high in sugars or carbohydrates to better protect your mouth from plaque.
Floss regularly: Carry a small case of floss any time you’re traveling. Floss doesn’t take up too much space and is crucial in helping to remove plaque and food debris from in-between teeth.
Chew gum: Opt for sugarless gum whenever on a plane or long trip. Chewing gum can help prevent dry mouth from occurring, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
Schedule a checkup: You can help reduce the risk of an oral care issue occurring while on your trip. See your dental professional for a cleaning and checkup prior to your trip.
Best Electric Toothbrush for Traveling
When traveling, whether by air or ground, your oral hygiene should still be top of mind. Most people prefer to travel with a compact toothbrush whereas others opt for the latest technology. So, whether you’re on a business trip or enjoying a vacation, it really comes down to personal preference. However, when it comes to getting the most out pf your oral care routine, here’s our pick for the best electric toothbrush for traveling with.
The dentist-inspired Oral-B iO9 Electric Toothbrush checks all the boxes when it comes to travel:
Advanced Cleaning Technology: Combines powerful, but gentle micro-vibrations with Oral-B’s dentist-inspired round brush head for a professional purifying clean.
Smart Pressure Sensor: Protect gums with a sensor that lets you know when you’re brushing too hard, too light, or just right. Plus, when you don’t overbrush, you can better protect the bristles from damage and fraying.
Magnetic Charger: Click-in-place charger delivers a full and reliable charge in just ~3 hours.
Power2Go Charging Travel Case: Not only does this travel case keep your electric toothbrush safe and clean, but it can also charge both your iO toothbrush and your phone from anywhere.
Oral-B App: Track your brushing progress and ensure you get your best clean every time, from anywhere, with the Oral-B app.
Additional Oral-B electric toothbrushes that are great for travel include:
Oral-B iO8 Electric Toothbrush: Premium travel case helps keep the brush and brush heads safe and sanitary.
Oral-B Genius 8000 Electric Toothbrush: Smart Travel Case charges your smartphone and a mirror cling holds your phone in place when brushing with the app.
For added convenience when traveling, most oral-B electric toothbrushes are equipped with a Lithium-ion battery which helps deliver long-lasting, consistently powerful cleaning action for up to 12 days between charges.
Traveling with an Electric Toothbrush FAQs
Where should you pack toothpaste when flying?
You can pick toothpaste in your carry-on, however, according to the TSA you must adhere to the 3-1-1 rule for liquids and gels. If packed in a carry-on bag, the amount of toothpaste must be limited to 3.4 ounces and placed in a 1-quart bag. Otherwise, you can pack it in your checked baggage or consider simply purchasing a new tube of toothpaste once you reach your destination.
How much liquid can you bring on an airplane?
A quart-sized bag of liquids is allowed by the TSA to be brough onto a flight in a carry-on bag. Travel-sized products such as toothpastes should be no larger than 3.4 ounces.
Can you bring toothpaste on a plane?
Yes, you can bring toothpaste on a plane as long as it adheres to TSA regulations. To bring toothpaste in your carry-on it must be no larger than 3.4 ounces and should be placed in a 1-quart bag.
Can you use an electric toothbrush on a plane?
Yes, you can use your electric toothbrush on a plane. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. After use, make sure to turn off your electric toothbrush and place it back inside your carry-on. Also, be courteous and mindful of other passengers when brushing your teeth. Don’t take up too much time in the lavatory and keep the sink area clean once done.
How can you be sure your electric toothbrush won’t get damaged while flying?
How you pack your electric toothbrush for a flight can help keep it from getting damaged. Make sure to pack it in a hard-side case, remove the battery if you can, and keep your toothbrush and brush head in a protective, sealable bag.
From Oral-B, the #1 toothbrush brand used by dentists worldwide.
Sources:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/what-3-1-1-liquids-rule
https://travelinglight.com/can-you-bring-an-electric-toothbrush-on-a-plane-in-your-carry-on/
https://uk.usembassy.gov/embassy-consulates/government-agencies/dhs/tsa/
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