Traveling by airplane can be overwhelming. With so many rules and regulations, many find it challenging to know the ins and outs of what things can and cannot travel in carry-on or checked luggage.
As a seasoned traveler, I can’t count the times people have asked me whether or not they are allowed to bring an electric toothbrush on a plane. I definitely understand.
When I think back to my first few times traveling by air, I had so many questions as to what I was allowed to bring on a plane with me and what I could not. Finally, after flying a few times, I started to get the hang of it.
To save you some time researching, my team and I have analyzed the various Transportation Security Administration (aka TSA) and airline rules and regulations.
Keep reading to find out what we learned about flying with electric toothbrushes.
Are Electric Toothbrushes Allowed On Planes?
Yes, you can bring an electric toothbrush on a plane in both your checked baggage and carry-on luggage. Just make sure you double-check whether or not your toothbrush contains a lithium-ion battery.
If it does, and you are carrying an extra battery, you should pack it in your carry-on bag instead of your checked luggage, as airlines prohibit loose spare lithium-ion batteries from checked luggage due to a very-small fire risk.
If you are not carrying an extra battery and the lithium-ion battery is installed in your toothbrush, it will be fine in your checked baggage.
This electric toothbrush TSA rule is not an airline-specific rule. Therefore, all the major airlines will allow you to pack your electric toothbrush to go with you on your trip in your checked baggage or carry-on luggage, whichever you prefer.
Can I Carry Electric Toothbrush In Hand Luggage?
Yes, you can carry any kind of electric toothbrush in your carry-on luggage (hand luggage). The TSA does not have any restrictions for packing this type of item.
Additionally, the TSA does not require you to remove it from your luggage or its case during the security screening process.
Carrying your electric toothbrush in your carry-on luggage vs. your checked luggage also makes a good idea if, for any reason, your checked baggage gets delayed.
If this happens, you will have your toothbrush at your destination in your hand luggage.
Can I Bring An Electric Toothbrush To My Checked Luggage?
Yes, you can bring your electric toothbrush into your checked luggage if you don’t want to take it with you in your carry-on, even if it has a lithium-ion battery.
Just make sure that if your electric toothbrush uses a lithium-ion battery, it is installed in the toothbrush before you pack it.
If you want to bring an extra lithium-ion battery for your electric toothbrush, you must pack that battery in your carry-on luggage.
The TSA and FAA prohibit loose lithium-ion batteries from being placed in checked luggage due to minimal fire hazards.
Does An Electric Toothbrush Have a Lithium-Ion Battery?
Some newer versions of electric toothbrushes have lithium-ion batteries, but not all electric toothbrushes have this type of battery.
Many Sonicare toothbrushes use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and some Oral-B versions do as well.
Generally, your electric toothbrush will have one of the following three battery types:
- Alkaline batteries that you swap out when they die
- Rechargeable nickel-metal hydride NiMH batteries
- Lithium-ion batteries
Check with your toothbrush manufacturer to determine which type your toothbrush has. Remember that checked luggage only has restrictions on loose lithium-ion batteries, not other types.
Can I Take Oral B Electronic Toothbrush in Hand Luggage?
Yes, you can take any type of Oral-B Electronic Toothbrushes with you in your hand luggage (carry-on). These toothbrushes will either have alkaline, NiMH, or lithium-ion batteries, all of which the TSA allows in carry-on baggage.
You will not need to remove your Oral B Electronic Toothbrush from your carry-on bag or its case when going through the security checkpoint.
It can remain in your bag and be scanned with the other items through the checkpoint.
Conclusion
Our team of travelers recommends packing your toothbrush in your carry-on baggage, whether it’s a regular toothbrush or an electronic one.
We’ve all experienced numerous times when our baggage was delayed or didn’t arrive at our destination and found it helpful not to have to search for a toothbrush upon arrival.
We also find it helpful to have our toothbrushes with us during longer or international flights to brush our teeth on the plane before sleeping or landing and use them at the airport during long layovers.
