How To Make an Electric Toothbrush Quiet

Loud Electric Toothbrush? 7 Tips for an Easy Fix!

You brush your teeth every single day. Or at least I hope you do! It should be one of the first things you do upon waking up in the morning, and among the last things you do before going to bed.

The fact that this is such a common thing you do so early in the morning or late in the night makes a loud toothbrush a very annoying little problem. 

Luckily for you, I myself have had this problem before! Waking up your family before work or after a long night awake with your jet engine of a toothbrush can cut into their sleep, your sleep, and generally raise stress levels around the house. 

If you find yourself having this problem, read on to find out how to quiet down that toothbrush!

Tip 1: Figure out why your toothbrush is loud

The first step to fixing any problem is figuring out what the problem actually is! If you don’t know what you are specifically looking to fix, you’ll be unable to take care of the problem at its root.

This being the case, the first thing you’re going to want to do is to diagnose the reason that your toothbrush is loud, or louder than usual. There are a few different parts of the electric toothbrush that could result in an uncomfortably loud noise!

Use a process of elimination to narrow down which part of the toothbrush is making the unpleasant or overly loud noise you are trying to eliminate.

First, you’ll want to check to see if it is the head of your brush that is producing strange or loud noises. In order to do this, remove the head of the brush. In most cases, they’ll simply twist or screw off, as they are always a detachable and re-attachable part. Then, proceed to turn it on. 

If the noise continues after you’ve removed the brush head, it is coming from the handle of the toothbrush. 

If the noise stops after you’ve removed the brush head, it is coming from the brush head! If this is the case, scroll down to the Replace brush head part of this article and find out how to fix the problem there! 

If it is neither, your toothbrush itself might be what is too loud, even when it is working completely fine. Look up some videos of people using your toothbrush and see if it makes the same noise. Looking up some product reviews could help you with this as well. 

If this is the case, it could perhaps be worth your time looking into a quieter model of an electric toothbrush. There isn’t much you can do about a toothbrush that is simply too loud on purchase other than buying a new one. 

Follow the next steps based on what you figured out in this step! Going through them one at a time will guarantee your brush gets fixed. However, if you know what’s wrong with your electric toothbrush specifically, you can scroll directly to that part of the article and take the necessary steps to fix it. 

Tip 2: Make sure you are keeping your toothbrush in good working condition

As is the case with many things, the best way to fix something is to make sure it never even happens. However, you’re probably reading this because you already have this problem. In any event, it is important to make sure that you are keeping your toothbrush in proper working order.

Keep your toothbrush charged the proper amount

It might seem like only a minor inconvenience when your toothbrush dies. Perhaps you simply use it without the electrical functions for that day, put it into the charger, and use it the next time. You would be right in thinking that this happening once or twice is no big deal. 

However, keeping your toothbrush properly charged can go a long way in increasing the longevity of the appliance. Make sure that your toothbrush is not only properly secured in the charging station, but also that the charging station is plugged into an outlet safely and securely as well! This will do wonders in reducing the noise your toothbrush makes by keeping it in proper working condition. 

Many people don’t know this, but you can also overcharge your electric toothbrush. This is the result of leaving it in the charger for too long. This will slowly wear down the battery life of your electric toothbrush, causing it to die more and more quickly. 

Tip 3: Replace brush head

Perhaps one of the most common, if not the most common reason that people’s electric toothbrushes are making unwelcome types or amounts of noise is an old, worn, or faulty brush head. As covered earlier, it is important for the wellbeing of your brush to make sure you are replacing the brush head once every three to four months.

Before you commit fully to this step. Take off your brush head fully and put it back on. Make sure it is tight and secure, but not so tight that there is no space between the head and the handle of the brush. That small amount of space that is seen in most electric toothbrushes when they are securely assembled is necessary to make the brush vibrate. 

You may simply have a case of an improperly attached head. If this is the case, and taking off your electric toothbrush’s brush head and putting it back on again solves the problem, then no further action is needed. Simply proceed to replace the head at the regular three to four-month interval and you should be fine!

If the problem remains, it is most likely that your brush head is faulty and needs to be replaced. But how exactly do you replace a brush head? It can be an annoying process, but it’s pretty simple. 

1. Remove the brush head from the rest of the toothbrush.

The first step to replacing your brush head is to remove it from the rest of your toothbrush. Brush heads are a detachable and re-attachable part, so most of them will screw or pop off the handle of the toothbrush by design. First things first, take that sucker off. You don’t need it anymore. Locate your nearest garbage can put the old head where it belongs!

Alternatively, you can save it for a pinch. It will make the same annoying noise you are trying to avoid, but if it hasn’t been three to four months, the brush head will still properly clean your teeth, so perhaps throwing it away is a waste. 

2. Acquire a new head

The next step in replacing your brush head is to get a brush head to replace your current head. Ideally, you read the “needed materials” section of this article at the top and purchased yourself a brush head that you now have ready to install on the brush. 

It is important to note that since every electric toothbrush type is unique, it is important to match up the brand, and in some cases the model, of an electric toothbrush with the proper head. Do not just go to the store and buy any old brush head.

According to Phillip’s Sonicare’s website, using an improper, bootleg, or off-brand brush head can result in more noise than you started with. Obviously, this outcome should be avoided at all costs. Make sure you’ve purchased a brush head that will match with your electric toothbrush to avoid this issue. 

3. Attach the new head. 

The final step is to attach the new head you purchased. Once again, make sure that you have the proper brand of brush head or at least a head that fits. You can even take your electric toothbrush to the store with you to make sure that the brush heads you are looking to buy fit properly!

Once you have the brush head, screw or pop it into place on the handle of your electric toothbrush. Make sure that it fits snugly and is securely in place. If it is too loose or too tight, it can cause further damage and create more unwelcome noise.

There should be a small amount of space, a crack about the width of a coin in most cases, where your brush’s head and handle meet. make sure this is there as if it is not your head is most likely not attached properly unless your model is put together differently than most. 

You can also watch videos or read articles online concerning your specific model of electric toothbrushes. This is the easiest way to make sure you are assembling your brush properly and is extremely simple to do. Simply google the brand name of your electric toothbrush, add the word “assembly” or “brush head change,” and follow the directions you find on the net!

Tip 4: Soldering the wires inside the handle

If there is something wrong inside of your toothbrush that is making a lot of noise, this is a fixable issue as well. Usually, internal problems in the toothbrush come down to poor or worsening connections with the electrical wiring inside of the toothbrush itself. 

This is because as time goes on, the vibrating and shaking of your electric toothbrush will knock some connections loose. Not only can this damage the performance of your brush, but it can also make it extremely loud and obnoxious to use. 

The quickest fix for this would be to open up the toothbrush and use a soldering gun or soldering iron to reconnect the wires. A soldering gun or soldering iron is a tool that uses heat to melt the metal of a wire so it can be re-attached to the proper connections. When the metal cools and solidifies, the connection will be as good as new! 

If you have a soldering gun and a little bit of knowledge on how electrical currents work, this is simple enough. Make sure you do it safely and look up an an online guide or YouTube video on how to do this before you jump in! 

Tip 5: Contact the Manufacturer

If when you remove the head from your brush to diagnose the noise and it is not the brush head but is the handle instead, there is something wrong with the more important mechanisms that make your electric toothbrush more than just a hunk of plastic.

If you find out that the head of your electric toothbrush is in fine working condition, and it is the handle that is producing the unwelcome noise, and you do not feel comfortable fixing it yourself via soldering, try contacting the manufacturer of the brush. Phillip’s Sonicare’s article about the issue cites this as the easiest solution to a problem with your electric toothbrush’s handle. 

Perhaps your manufacturer will present you with a way to fix your current toothbrush, a warranty on your electric toothbrush, or a reduced cost new toothbrush. In any event, this is an easy way to fix your issue. 

Look up the phone number of your electric toothbrush’s manufacturer and call. Describe your problem thoroughly and inquire what steps you can take to remedy it! Be prepared! In some cases, buying a brand new toothbrush might be the easiest and fastest remedy. Remember, your toothbrush wasn’t built to be used forever. It’s okay if it needs to be replaced eventually. 

I would recommend going through the other steps on this list first before you default to calling your manufacturer to obtain a new brush. Usually fixing your old toothbrush will work just fine. However, if the time does come that you need a new toothbrush, don’t hesitate.

It is a waste of time to use a toothbrush that is no longer working, so you might as well handle the problem as soon as possible. 

Tip 6: Wrap your toothbrush

Sometimes, ordering a new electric toothbrush handle or head takes time. Whether this is because you can’t get to the store today or because you ordered it online, you’ll still be dealing with the issue for a few days. Wrapping your toothbrush is one way that you can temporarily mitigate the noise coming from your brush. 

Here is a great article on the blog “A Quiet Refuge” about quieting your toothbrush! Their recommendations on toothbrush wrapping are quite helpful as a temporary measure until you can fix what is actually wrong with your toothbrush. 

Find a hand towel, washcloth, old shirt, or another piece of cloth that can easily wrap around your electric toothbrush. The thicker the cloth is, the more noise it will muffle. However, extremely thick or large pieces of fabric might make your brush hard to hold or get in the way while you’re trying to brush. 

Be careful not to use a piece of shirt, cloth, or towel that might be dirty. This will only exacerbate your problems and make your 

Try a few different pieces of cloth and find what is best for you! Remember, this is not a permanent solution, and if you want a consistent, quiet toothbrush, buying a new one or fixing yours is much better. However, for a temporary fix, this can work exceptionally well! 

Do not use a permanent fabric casing! This can cause problems with electric toothbrushes that need to be charged regularly or overnight, as the casing can interrupt the charging process and even be a fire hazard in some cases. 

Tip 7: Buy a quiet electric toothbrush  

If you have followed all of these steps in attempts to fix your electric toothbrush and none of them are working, or you think that even in proper working condition your current electric toothbrush is too loud, it might be in your best interest to buy an electric toothbrush that is specifically designed to make less noise than other electric toothbrushes. 

There are many different brands and models of quieter electric toothbrushes. These toothbrushes will make significantly less noise than most normal brands and models of electric toothbrushes, and will certainly not wake up your family or be overly loud first thing in the morning or late at night! 

So what are the best brands and models of quiet electric toothbrushes? Here are some models of sonic electric toothbrushes that are not only quiet, but clean your teeth very effectively as well. Look into buying one of these models to get yourself a quiet, effective toothbrush to replace your broken electric toothbrush. 

1. Oral-B 7000 Smart Series

The Oral-B 7000 smart series electric toothbrush is an excellent choice as far as quiet electric toothbrushes go. The main reason it is able to stay so quiet is that the joints of the brush are sealed, allowing less of the brush to vibrate, creating less noise. 

Outside of this, it is generally a great toothbrush. It is durable, rotates quickly for a good clean, and the sealed joints help it remain quite waterproof!

2. Philips Sonicare HX9111/12 Flexcare Platinum

This Philips Sonicare model, although expensive, is one of if not the best choice for quiet electric toothbrushes on the market. According to Sound Proof Expert, it produces sounds between 550-580 decibels, which amounts to basically a barely audible buzz! 

It’s brushing capabilities are excellent as well. It has a pressure sensor, three intensity levels, and two modes (white and clean) for maximum customizability options for brushing your specific teeth. This is an exceptionally effective electric toothbrush for the low amount of noise it makes, justifying its rather expensive price point. 

3. Fairywill Sonic Electric Toothbrush FW-507

For a more affordable model of a quiet electric toothbrush, look into getting yourself a Fairywill Sonic Electric toothbrush! This is a solid model for cleaning your teeth and is extremely quiet to boot. It can clean at up to 40,000 micro brushes per minute, ensuring a quality clean. 

It also has extremely long battery life. One four hour charge will last you around a month. This not only makes it an exceptional travel toothbrush but also reduces the amount of noise it makes. The power-saving battery and efficient power usage ensure that your toothbrush does not make unwanted noise due to issues with power or battery! 

Check out this review of the Fairywill Sonic Electric Toothbrush and the Oral-B 7000 series on the blog Quiet Livity!