How to Keep Toothpaste on Electric Toothbrushes

The electric toothbrush was first marketed in the United States in 1960. Fifty years later, nobody's invented a toothpaste specifically formulated for electrics. Long the enemy of spotless bathroom mirrors, many electrics toothbrushes spatter the immediately vicinity with specks of toothpaste from the vigorous action of the brush. There are a few things you can do to reduce the effect and the cleanup.

Instructions

• 1

  Choose an electric toothbrush with rotational action rather than vibrating or "sonic" action. The vibrating action of the brush is more intense and often has sufficient high-frequency motion to spatter toothpaste. The rotational action has less torque and, with its circular range of motion, is more likely to retain toothpaste on the brush. The result is more toothpaste on your teeth and less on the mirror.

• 2

  Consider an auto-dispensing model. Some electric toothbrushes automatically dispense toothpaste as you brush from a small tube located in the head of the unit. Because toothpaste can be dispensed in small amounts at intervals during the brushing process, it's not necessary to load the brush with a heavy amount at the beginning. This reduces the amount likely to be flung off when you press the "On" button.

• 3

  Make sure the toothbrush is fully enclosed in your mouth with your lips closed before powering up. Also, power the toothbrush down before removing it from your mouth. Shower your oral cavity with toothpaste, not your pajamas.