LONDON (AP) — Toothbrushes used to be simple, only hand-operated, so they never broke down. Nowadays, rechargeable electric toothbrushes are becoming increasingly popular as they make brushing teeth easier and more effective, but they become a headache when they stop working properly.
Inside the electric toothbrush’s waterproof housing is a battery that powers a small motor that rapidly spins or vibrates the replaceable brush head. Batteries are usually rechargeable, but they don’t last forever. Their longevity and the repairability of the toothbrush as a whole are the subject of many online forums.
If you’ve owned such a device before, you’ve probably noticed that recharge intervals are becoming more and more frequent. At some point, you may decide to throw it away, contributing to the world’s growing pile of electronic waste.
But all is not lost. You can pay someone else to fix it, or you can do it yourself with help online. Here are some tips:
CAN I REPAIR OUR ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH MYSELF?
According to manufacturers, the answer is generally no. They warn people not to disassemble devices, saying it is dangerous or will void the warranty. But repair advocates say that doesn’t mean you can’t do it yourself.
You can find websites and YouTube channels dedicated to showing people how to fix their battery-powered brushes.
Toothbrush manufacturers say the devices are “not user serviceable,” but that’s a “blatant lie,” said Shahram Mokhtari, chief teardown engineer at iFixit, a right-to-repair advocacy group. “Some of these devices have very replaceable batteries,” and in many cases it’s just a matter of getting inside the device and learning to do some soldering, or taking it to someone who can do it, he said.
DIY fixes may soon become standard practice. The European Union, the pioneer of global technology regulation, has drawn up rules to encourage the repair of electrical devices, while some states have introduced right-to-repair legislation.
HOW TO ACCESS THE BATTERY?
Each model is slightly different, but models from Oral B and Philips Sonicare, two of the most popular brands, can be disassembled using the same general procedure.
Most Oral B brushes can be opened by holding the toothbrush and charging stand together and then rotating the stand to remove the bottom cover. On some models, you may need to use the stand as a lever to remove it.
Philips Sonicare models are a little more difficult. To remove the bottom cover you’ll need something like a small flat head screwdriver or a plastic tool known as a “spudger”.
Regardless of the model, if it’s too tight, some websites recommend softening the plastic casing by placing the brush in hot water for a few minutes.
Once closed, you will need to slide the electronics internals out of the enclosure. You may need to remove the metal or plastic ring on the brush head shaft first. Then push the shaft against something hard to slide the motor assembly out from the bottom. You may need to open some plastic parts first. Again, every toothbrush is different, so it’s best to consult the manual for your specific model on iFixit or other repair websites if possible.
DO I NEED TECHNICAL SKILLS?
In some models, the battery is not so easy to remove because it is soldered to the circuit board. But if you’re feeling handy, you can do it yourself, Mokhtari said. You’ll need a soldering iron to untie the wiring and then you’ll need to re-solder a new battery. If you’ve never done this before, there are videos. Be careful, the soldering iron is hot.
“We encourage people to learn this skill because it is not a difficult thing to learn,” Mokhtari said. He said the soldering process for toothbrushes is generally similar and will be “a little delicate” and “a little difficult.”
CAN I BUY A SPARE BATTERY?
Yes, but you have to make sure it’s the right size. It’s usually a cylindrical cell similar to the Energizer or Duracell AA batteries in your TV remote, but don’t assume they’re the same.
It may be longer, shorter or have a different diameter than standard AA. Some have metal tabs that need to be soldered to the circuit board. Whatever the type, it should be available online.
WHICH IS EASY TO REPAIR?
Oral B makes it easier for consumers to make DIY repairs with its IO line of toothbrushes that can be fixed without requiring special tools. Some versions even come with a circular charger specifically designed to unscrew the bottom cover when it’s upside down. After sliding the mechanism, simply remove the battery.
The downside is that IO models and brush heads are more expensive than other Oral B model lines, according to the UK website toothbrushbattery.com, which has a buying guide that ranks electric toothbrushes by ease of repair.
Some start-up brands like Suri and Quip are highlighting their repairability as part of their sustainable appeal. But Suri says owners should send them back to be repaired, not do it themselves, and only if they sign up for a brush head subscription plan.
Other species may differ. Mokhtari showed The Associated Press the procedure for taking apart a brand-new Philips Sonicare 6100 model. It took him over 15 minutes to remove the bottom cover and electronics and then deal with some complicated desoldering.
“This is not consumer friendly. This is not repair friendly,” he said. “We’re way beyond what would be reasonable for DIY repair work.”
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