Mold in Oral-B brush heads

[@AlexandraManikus]

Ive been using my Oral-B iO for 1.5 years now. Always made sure to wash it thoroughly after each use, and allow the head to dry separately from the toothbrush handle. I always change the head as soon as the app recommends me too. I started noticing black specks on the rubber part where the head sits about 4 months ago (a year after using). Now theres a ton of black specks and black mold pieces coming out after i dry the pieces. The mold seems to happen no matter what, even though I did all these things to try and prevent it. Its disappointing for how expensive it was and considering it only lasted a year before this started happening.

[@56118Rocket]

You know as an oral b user for a while now. I did notice the build up issue with previous generations. What I did was use denture cleaning tablets once or twice a month along with the normal regular cleaning and it significantly helped with any odours or the build up that I couldn't get too. Simply dunked the whole brush head and only the part that connects to the brush on the handle in the cleaning solution. Only found out this because I used retainers after my orthodontic treatment.

[@alicesillusion]

I am having an absolute nightmare with my iO. I upgraded my Genius X and completely regret it. I live in an area where the water is chalky so even with the greatest will in the world, there’s some limescale and mould. I have tried everything - I rinse and dry the toothbrush head every day and keep it upright and separate to the toothbrush body. I also dry the toothbrush body. I’ve also tried soaking in Milton solution once a week to kill any nasties. Even with daily care I’m still knocking mould out the head and the body. I definitely didn’t have this issue with the Genius X. Time to make a complaint I guess!

[@camilla2626]

I’m a dentist and have the same mould issue with the iO series, and didn’t get it with the genius. The reason some people are creating black mould and others aren’t, despite vigorous cleaning regimes is because we all have a different diversity of microbes living in our mouths. We have over 800 types of microbiota in our mouths, so the combinations are endless. Some people have the mould producing combinations and others won’t, despite how much you clean the brush. I’m going to change back to the older oral B generations as the round head is preferable to reach hard to reach areas compared to the longer Philips heads, and the oscillating vibrating brushes are superior for plaque removal.

[@charlottel3158]

I've recently discovered recurrent black mould in mine after using the iO for years 😢. I think environment must make a difference also as prior to this I did not notice mould - just constant build up of toothpaste inside - and I'm now staying in a more damp/humid environment with mould issues of its own. I'm looking everywhere for an oscillating replacement - are there specific models of the older Oral B you'd suggest that don't get this issue please? 🙏🏼

[@kroozzy9863]

​@@charlottel3158 I just did a write up in here about bathroom mould factors. You are definitely correct that your new bathroom may be different. My Oral B Genius 9000 just died today, that's the version in Australia. It lasted 4 years, it was fantastic, I have absolutely no complaints at all. I am going to buy the Oral B IO9 tomorrow, if I prefer the Genius 9000 or if mould becomes an issue with the IO9, that I never had, I will use the 180 Day Satisfaction Warranty, return the IO9 and get the Genius 9000 again I never used the app and extra stuff with the Genius 9000, I just set it on the first selection mode, the fastest, and used it everyday. Hope that helps 🙃

[@jaken0]

I’m using my oral b io 6 and clean it using the oral b instruction on KZbin, haven’t got mold ones. I put the brush on the cup and the brush head on the brush holder stuck with 3m glue to my wall. I have to say that my hygiene starts with a water flosser from Philips or Oclean and then Elgydium floss, afterwards I use sometimes Eludrill classic mixed with warm water if I feel I have a lot of things in my mouth (forgot to brush or I have eaten something that could have been stuck throughout the day) then I brush my teeth with io 6 and Colgate toothpaste and then rinse it as the instructions on the KZbin show. First turn on the brush and rinse it, turn off and dismount and rinse it from the inside. Then I put on my toothbrush holder. Haven’t got mold for a year. Maybe it also depends on the water whether you have clear or more hard water. How often do you clean it, do you do it as the instructions say. Maybe you don’t floss and have extra debris on your mouth. Maybe you have such mouth with more amounts of bacteria. I also throw the brush head to rubbish after 3 months or after sickness. I don’t know whether it helps. It could be also defective model.

[@kunsnoing3745]

Less mold build-up with the pen needle metal attachment instead of bulky plastic due to easy cleanup. I like Oral-B, but the mold build-up Oral-B needs to do something about it or close the hole.

[@hk_brit_fisher]

I also use those camera air blower to blow out the water after rinsing the brush head. I think it isn't a good design if it require this much attention after every use.

[@mclarenbutton6342]

Way too much defense in the comments section for a flop design, the iO series are a flop, no way around it. Oral B can PR speak all they want but the iO's design lends itself to mold growth much more so than previous Oral B brush heads & handles. I've got an iO3 on the way, ordered one on a deal. Am totally expecting this issue to crop up and I rinse everything after every use. Will try various methods, if I find something that works I update my post here. Keep up the good work Jon!

[@ElectricTeeth]

Thanks, I look forward to hearing your findings.

[@agathisrobusta]

Why do you say they are a flop and then order one? Lol.

[@mclarenbutton6342]

@@agathisrobusta Just to try it out so it had to be cheaper than usual and after 7 months of usage it really is a flop design + heavily overpriced. iO7s are now getting heavily discounted in Asia, give it another 5 months it will be not much more than what I paid for the iO3 (from the US) on Amazon. Against my Oral B 2xAA powered cross action, the improvements to cleaning finish is marginal at best, it is also down to my already refined brushing routine. The major annoyance of note is that the iO brush head being large causes a lot splashing, it's hard to avoid. The brush head cost to replace is pure daylight robbery for a piece of plastic. Scummy corporate being scummy, nothing new.

[@deathstrike8992]

Yes, it’s very sad to see fanbros show up yelling “not a problem for me ***but I spend 2 hours a day cleaning it”. Stick with the 1000 Pro. Still requires some cleaning but much less than these iO models.

[@valeryprokudin1499]

The solution is more then simple and I'm quite surprised it is not mentioned here. After brushing your teeth - rinse the brushhead while it is still vibrating, let the warm water get into all holes in the brush. While it vibrates - all the build up comes off easily. After that - disconnect the brushhead and give it one more rinse. That is it - you're good to go. If you will also let it stay in a cleaning solution overnight once 1 month(I don't do that) - it will be like new forever. I use my head for about 3 months now and just did the test(rinse with warm water and then hit it a bit). Nothing is coming out for me and it looks clean in the light.

[@guy6311]

Another words read the manual everything you mention here is in the manual

[@disneytoysr4fun975]

@@guy6311still its a shame how even the low end sonicare brush is so much easier to maintain. I have the 4100 and I never have to bust out the hydrogen peroxide or do more than fling the water off the brush with a simple swat. Even the base of the brush and the stand remain flawless and mold free with no effort. I dont even remove the brush head either.

[@pancake2700]

The trouble I’m having is that I DO make sure to rinse my brush like this every single time. It’s what’s in the instruction manual. (I have an oral-b genius series, not iO) I’m not having issues with anything in the head. Where I AM seeing dark brown/black gunk is in the little port where the metal prong sticks out. When I first got the toothbrush, I was drying everything with a clean tissue, then loosely setting the brush head on the handle but not clicking, to allow some air flow. But I realized that was probably still allowing some water to drip into that crevice. So now for a few months I have been storing the head SEPARATE from the handle, facing upright to drain. As for the handle, I also started at the same time as storing things separately, drying them, then turning the handle upside down over a tissue, and turning it on to vibrate until water drips out. At this step is when I SOMETIMES see gunk come out. Sometimes nothing but clear water comes out, sometimes a little dark gunk follows, and sometimes a LOT does. I do this literally every time now, for months. I don’t understand why it’s still there when I’ve been diligently cleaning it in this way. Today and yesterday in particular I’ve noticed a significant amount of dark gunk, enough that I can actually smell it and it does not smell nice. I’ve really tried to care for it as the expensive item that it is, and I’ve had it for only about 10 months. It’s frustrating that it seems like I’m doing even more than suggested in the manual to keep it clean, and I’m still experiencing this.

[@AhmadH.]

why the older version is easier to clean and nothing like this happens to it while the new one is like that? make it easier to the consumers with each new models not harder!.

[@RichTapestry]

@@pancake2700 Have you been changing the heads themselves? Unfortunately they don't last forever, and once the dark gunk has built up once it is impossible to fully get rid of again in the same head.

[@KarenAustin-yi3rx]

I came to this page purely because for last week I've had black circle marks left on edge of my sink and this morning I notice black drip marks (literally like black paint) all down the side of my brush, I was horrified and have decided to now avoid Oral B and will be purchasing an alternative brush today I would like to add that I have used Oral B electric brushes for years and years so can't understand why this has happened now.

[@Eddioj]

Would be interesting to see a test where the holes are sealed with glue and see how it affects the grime buildup and drying. would probably require the head being left off after use.

[@virsli100]

I just started with my fresh and new io brush with taping off all the holes

[@admcmahon2]

This is why I remove the brush head after use and clean it, then tap the base of the head on a towel to get rid of excess moisture. And soak in Listerine. No mold ever and I have used these for a very long time

[@AX-fx7ng]

Maybe if we can just SOAK / DROP the head into some kinda Sterlizing liquid Alcohol?

[@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYou]

If I'm going to be doing that much extra work, I'd rather just brush my teeth manually for an extra minute or two...

[@Peem_pom]

I don't have all day but if you do props to you

[@lavinder11]

​@@MayTheSchwartzBeWithYouIf you're living in the EU or UK with hard water, you should be doing this with all of your brushes.

[@MrHandsomeStudios]

As an owner of a Oral B io6 for more than a year I've never ever had any issues with mold/gunk on the brush head or handle. The handle and brush heads looks as clean as day 1. This is my maintenance after every single time I brush my teeth: 1. Rinse the brush under water while being on. 2. Seperate the brush head and the handle. 3. Turn the brush head up and down and rinse the inside under water. 4. Rinse the magnetic part of the handle under water (the part that connects to the brush head) 5. Dry the parts with a paper towel. 6. store the two parts separated from each other. This is also what Oral B themselves suggest in the manual and on one of their KZbin videos called "How to clean your Oral-B iO electric toothbrush to keep it at its best"

[@valeryprokudin1499]

Oh, I just answered myself and saw your response. I also clean it up while it is vibrating and tbh, you don't even need to keep it separate after. If you brush twice a day - rinsing while vibrating before and after(

[@disneytoysr4fun975]

@@valeryprokudin1499I will try this method but Im not holding my breath. You still have to worry about mold on the base from the dripping water. My sonicare base doesnt get wet at all and I all I do is fling the brush a few times.

[@mrpush2532]

Wow...that's a lot of maintenance work ...for.a tooth brush.

[@MrHandsomeStudios]

@@mrpush2532 It may sound a lot when reading what I do, but it takes just 15 seconds for me to rinse it under water while doing these steps. The main difference to a manual tooth brush is that you also rinse the inside of the brush and handle with water.

[@terabit.]

This is a company guy's response to this video so that the sales don't plummet ! I'm going for a Philips toothbrush thank God!

[@staceyhunt6769]

My 4 and 5 Yr olds get black build up in their brushes after only 24hrs. We have a special head stand/protector that came with the brushes. We wash them with warm water, bash them out every night until nothing comes out (Some nights this can take ages!) and they'll still be really gross the next day. They get sick very very easily, and for long periods so making sure their brushes are thoroughly cleaned is really important for us but we never seem to manage it. Think we're going to have to swap to manual brushes again, because from this video it's a design flaw in electrics that isn't really being addressed.

[@slider1980]

Perhaps change heads and then try a different toothpaste? We have x4 people using two handles and only one head goes mouldy - and it does so fast! I can only think that drying method & toothpaste is a factor…?

[@RichTapestry]

Definitely due a new head when it gets to this stage.

[@rherahme5904]

Hi I’m a dentist! I sure hope everyone watches this until the end where you suggest ways to keep the mould out of toothbrush heads. I would hate for people to switch from an oscillating head to a Phillips vibrating head due to mould concerns. Multiple studies have shown that oscillating heads are much more effective at removing plaque and preventing gum disease and tooth decay!

[@disneytoysr4fun975]

They are also more likely to cause gun recession. Personally as someone who is used to simple hygiene routines I would recommend the switch. I haven’t had to do anything extra to keep my sonicare mold free. She shake the water off and put it on the stand. With oral b it was a nuisance and often brush my teeth knowing that there was mold in the nooks and crannies🤮

[@grawakendream8980]

the oscillating brush causes gum recession?@@disneytoysr4fun975

[@leianehiltz2486]

I had to look this up to see if there were any others who've had the shock of their lives after getting the idea to sterilize my Braun IO ($400) toothbrush heads in peroxide. After putting 6 heads in a Mason jar and shaking vigorously.... I was still cleaning after 5 hours. Still they're spitting out small bits of bits but to be blunt, I had to by this toothbrush on a payment plan through Amazon. The reasoning behind getting on the most advertised quality brushes on the market is that I've been suffering from a mysterious disease of the mouth. Excruciating lesions on my cheeks and tongue and rapid dental decay that's robbed me of all my back teeth. Now working towards my from with the logical progression of gum recession once you lose surrounding teeth and at the mercy of the destructive disease. Biopsy after biopsy until one doctor thought to dig deeper, quite literally to discover both fungal AND viral in my samples. So, being disabled (low income in case that's not clear), to my horror I've been exposing my mouth to this nasty blend of gunk. Costs $60 to replace these heads, let alone prematurely. I live in Canada so the prices are higher. Braun needs to make these over priced toothbrushes safe for the consumer. I shouldn't have had to learn of their foul, hidden surprise by having the fortuitous idea to clean in peroxide. Aside from cleaning as instructed I also brush with half and half peroxide and water every 3 or 4 days to slow the dental decay that attacks my teeth at the gum line. I'm not even able to have the worst solution to tooth loss--dentures due to this disease. The only solution is is one far out of my reach, implant bridges. If I had all the money I needed I wouldn't opt for the All-On-4 if at all possible. It's inferior, more destructive to the anatomy of the jaw bone and if you smile a full smile... Who wants to see the metal implant above the fake gum. You can't effectively clean between the two surfaces unlike implant bridges. The procedure that's superior sadly is more expensive to yield more natural teeth that you can clean properly. All a pipe dream but my point is--I could ill afford any further contamination in my mouth, so thanks Braun. Now I know to sterilize the brush heads after a year of using this pricy product

[@egerhazizsombor5749]

Hey! I am doing a school project where I deal with dirty toothbrushes. I am designing a solution to prevent toothbrush heads getting dirty especially oscillating ones because- as seen in the video- a lot of dirt can build up due to the mechanism. I am wondering if you could provide me with the link of these studies? It would help a lot in my project.

[@ItsDarkRightNow]

so how can we prevent this?? ughhh i regret spending 300 dollars on something with this huge issue

[@L3m0n_guy]

take out the head and turn it upside down, run it on tap water also pls rinse it while its turned on

[@aceglock9]

I agree I just found out about this problem first hand. If I’d had know I would have gotten a sonic. But at least it’s harmless to the average human

[@MichaelArmstrongTV]

Use a waterpik and spray inside the holes. Even if you think yours isn’t dirty you’ll be amazed at what gunk flys out 😳

[@aceglock9]

yes, I do and once I'm done using it I store it upside down to make sure the water runs down so it odersnt it build up.@@MichaelArmstrongTV

[@tophers3756]

After thoroughly rinsing the head (detached from the body) let it air dry separately from the body. Those are the instructionsfrom Oral-B. There's even a video from Oral-B here on KZbin with cleaning instructions. Also, occasionally pour some hydrogen peroxide into the handle and brush head. I rinse it an hour or so afterward.

[@adiadrian5281]

I looked for a video like this especially after I've seen the black gunk in my Oral B iO toothbrush. I have to give it a proper clean every 1.5-2 months

[@measuretwicewoodworks]

I rinse my oral b io8 running it under tap front and back and then apart under tap still running main body. I then leave head off main body till next brushing. It is still very clean.

[@themacdads]

After I take mine apart and rinse it I the hang it upside down so all the water can drain out. Works a treat and no mold to speak of!

[@tracydecarlo1785]

I have an Oral-B electric toothbrush. After watching your video I ran water into the bottom of the disposable toothbrush and then banged the open end down on the top side of the sink over 150 times stopping in between to rinse again. Even after that long, there wa black spots of mold were still coming out of that toothbrush! I'm switching to Sonicare.

[@medyab5716]

I am debating between buying the IO 9 and the genius X. As much as I love the screen on the IO and it’s design, I’m seeing all these reviews and warnings about the mold build up while the older heads seem to not have the issue at least as much. I have been using the oral b toothbrushes for many years now and this never had been an issue so now I’m confused on which one I should go for. It feels kind of stupid to pay twice as much and have all these issues while it can be easily avoided by purchasing a cheaper model? And are they ready that different? I can see both work with the app and have AI that shows where you are brushing and tracks the coverage percentage so what’s the 3d tracking about? Also somebody mentioned the phone has to be standing up to work with the tracking? Does that mean you can’t have your phone laying on a table? And is that the case for both brushes?Which one would you recommend having used both considering the existing issues?

[@ElectricTeeth]

So as far as we have seen older Oral-B brush heads have the same problem with mold potentially. They don't have the bit on the handle itself that collects grime quite as bad. If you have had Oral-B models already and not had this problem, then this is great. It might be worth sticking with models like the Genius X. The cleaning results are really not that different between the iO models and the non-iO models. There is no evidence to suggest one it much better than another. Both the iO9 and Genius X offers real-time tracking. Neither require the phone to be stood up to work with the tracking. There are some older models such as the Genius Pro 8000 that used the phones front camera to do the tracking, but most models have sensors built in and don't rely on the phone camera. 3D tracking refers to how much of the mouth surfaces is tracked. The Genius X and iO9 track more tooth surfaces than some other models. I like both, its a tough call. The iO Serie are sleeker and feel more modern. But the Genius X is generally cheaper and still a great brush. Truthfully, unless you really need or want the Bluetooth/real-time tracking there are many equally as good and more affordable options you could consider too.

[@medyab5716]

Thank you so much for your thorough and helpful response. I really like your videos keep up the great work😊🫶🏻

[@BukuiZhao]

If you clean it after use there will not be so much mold like those reviews. Most likely the reviewer did not clean them properly.

[@admcmahon2]

clean brush heads after use. And if you want, soak it in Listerine for 30 seconds. I have been doing this and there is no mold whatsoever! I think if you leave the head on , then of course mold will develop. NIH studies show how the iO Oral B removes the most plaque and best gingivitis resolve. including bleeding, over Sonic's top rated brush and manual brushing.

[@AX-fx7ng]

@@admcmahon2 Maybe if we can just SOAK / DROP the head into some kinda Sterlizing liquid Alcohol?

[@reclaimingmycrafts8031]

I have the io7 and for the last several weeks I’ve been rinsing the handle and head and storing the head off the handle on a holder on my mirror. I’ve also been drying the handle and head with an air can and I STILL get mold growing inside the handle and head. It’s gross! I spent a lot of money on this toothbrush and I love how well it cleans my teeth, but I’m incredibly frustrated by this.

[@primaveraimages]

Reading comments like yours is keeping me off from buying a iO 6. For now I'll stay with a classic manual toothbrush.

[@rkaram88]

Thanks for this video. I have been diligently rinsing my iO toothbrush head daily and discovered how bad it is inside last night upon a closer inspection. I gagged! My partner also has the same brush and *doesnt* rinse his. Oddly, my brush was much, much worse than his. I created a mini bleach bath for the top of the toothbrush handle (without the brush head) to sit in and I turned it on for the two minute cycle. The gunk that flew out, oh my! There is a way for the water to get sucked in/out even without a toothbrush head attached. I did the same with my partners’ and barely anything flew out. Is my toothbrush head defective? I am considering getting a refund on the whole system.

[@ElectricTeeth]

Doesn't sound pleasant. I am not in a position to say whether yours is defective or not. There are so many variables. I have just found regular rinsing to be more effective in keeping the head clean, whereas your husbands setup seems to go against this. 🤔

[@ginadroman9027]

I recently noticed by oral b IO4 was full of black mold inside the handle. Clearly this is an issue Oral B need to address as who wants black mold lurking in a toothbrush !

[@victoriajones3339]

Love io but mould is driving me to change to a different brush it's shameful that oral b ignores this known

[@RomainQ]

It's probably made by design. Makes people buy new heads more regularly.

[@SeikoMatsumoto]

A big thank you for this investigative work . Very usefull. I was afraid the black stuff was paint (potentially toxic) on my black brush, i'm almost glad it's mold 😅👏

[@leekindell9937]

mine does this and i rinse for ages after every time with the head off brush body and knock it and allow it to dry upright and separate to the body. still gunk comes out after a couple of months even from the top of the main handle itself, its disgusting and such a bad design, considering how very expensive they are

[@carriepack8383]

You have to wash the head while it’s still on. This helps clean the inside of the head. Then I dry the head and handle with a towel.Being the IO heads and never had mold on any of my heads.

[@TimothyHolloway-q1i]

Thank you for your videos. Very helpful. I feel that oral b have designed these holes specifically to create mould so we have to buy more heads more often. Such a disappointment it really is.

[@ATR-_]

I’ve noticed it grows literally overnight, and if left unchecked grows RAPIDLY. Very unsettling and I didn’t know at first. It’s not good

[@cedarpope]

Damn....REALLY wish I had seen this before I just bought an Oral B iO toothbrush! Can't return it as I have used it....thanks for the info tho.

[@staceyleblanc3965]

Yuck i wash mine out with very warm water very thurly and let it air dry after I use it I inspect mine every few days

[@baghabit7696]

I have the oral b genius (different brush heads). It still has multiple holes. I don’t have issues with build up and never seen mould. After brushing, I remove the head, throughly rinse, including the holes, then let it dry standing in a cup I never leave the heads attached to the handle

[@powerst33r]

Just checked my Pro Series brush head which I've used for 2-3 months. Just normal rinse after every brush, a few hard flings and left to dry without detaching the brush head. No molds. Glad I went with the cheaper Pro Series even though they seemed to slower and no sonic vibrations. For the io Series, might be a good idea to tape up the holes and do a comparison with one that hasn't got taped up.

[@googlyeyes1709]

I have also had Philips Sonic toothbrushes and they can also get gunk, and i have had worse problems with Philips toothbrushes (there is a screw on the inside that constantly becomes loose, so you have to barge it open and tighten it)

[@lanalam4205]

Is the io model more prone to mold? This makes me want to consider other oral b models or other brands entirely.

[@ElectricTeeth]

Yes it is. But with regular cleaning it should not be an issue, but still possible.

[@Cactusaislado]

Just bought iO and started to have serious doubts. After all, all studies suggest similar effectiveness of both electric toothbrush technologies, so if sonicare is less prone to moulding, then this should be a much better choice. No matter how cool I thought iO 6 was, if with right maintenance you still get your brush heads to this state, then its an absolute dealbreaker. Just wonder - oralb had always had this kind of design, so how come it's been noticed just now?

[@ElectricTeeth]

The iO Series (started in 2020) introduced a new design for brush head attachment. There is a different attachment for non-iO models. The heads themselves are still prone to grime, but it doesn't get stuck around the magnetic attachment the same as there is no magnetic attachment on the handle of these models.

[@beardiemom]

Tbh, I use an OralB Genius X and I just checked my brush head out of curiousity. I have been using it for close to 2 months and rinsing it very thoroughly after every use, and it doesn't have any mould. Oscillating heads work much better to me than sonic/vibrating heads because I have all four third molars in and a traditionally shaped, oval toothbrush has a hard time getting in between my upper wisdom teeth and the bone next do them. But also, even the most recent iO10 has been rated worse than the Genius X by "Stiftung Warentest", a German organization that takes products in a certain category and rates them under different criteria. The kicker: The iO series is more expensive upfront, as well as more expensive on the replacement heads.

[@enginsezer5805]

The brushead must be removed from the electric brush and rinsed well after each use. For the Elecric brush, after throughly rinsing under the water I place it upside down inside the pocket of my bathrobe for 10-15 min . With this all the water inside the head of electric brush would be rinsed out.

[@dougamy5680]

Mold prevention....After blasting the brush head with the waterpik , I take a deep breath and give it a good sharp blow. That seems to remove most of the water. I blow both ends of the brush head. Store the brush head unattached. Wipe the handle dry as well. Or use camera air blower as suggested below by @hk_brit_fisher

[@ElectricTeeth]

Thanks for sharing, nice approach.

[@mrpush2532]

I take my brush head off every evening, drive to my denstist office, put it in their autoclave, then drive back home when its done. Works great and Its so easy. (Yes, im being.sarcastic. people love overly complicated things for some reason)

[@deirdredillon3867]

I don't understand how Oral B can stand over this product from a health and safety point of view. I emailed them with the same issue and received what must be a generic response outlining the reason for the holes in the head and telling me it's not possible for that mould to build up if I'm following the cleaning instructions. Are Oral B accountable to anyone regarding the quality of their expensive products?

[@almostequal]

so this is why my toothbrush tastes so good 🤤

[@ElectricTeeth]

😄

[@reets-lt3rr]

Can you detach the head and Handle, and store the Handle upside down? Instead of storing upright on surface?

[@ElectricTeeth]

Technically yes. However balancing upside down isn't easy. Not the best balanced and not a lot of surface are to balance on so wouldn't take much at all to fall over.

[@reets-lt3rr]

I was wondering if the handle can be kept upside down in a toothbrush cup holder?

[@ElectricTeeth]

Possibly. Its hard to say. It will be based on the weight of your toothbrush holder as if the iO brush is leant on the side it might be a bit too heavy for the toothbrush holder. Heavier toothbrush holders will likely be fine. Think a ceramic material vs a lightweight plastic.

[@reets-lt3rr]

For Oral b pro 3 series I guess the holders can bear the weight of handle? My confusion is does the water seep in from the top of the handle or the bottom of the handle too( while rinsing)? as there is a hole on the base of the handle. If the water enters from the top where the toothbrush head is placed, does it not corrode the handle from inside if kept upright? (The oral b pro 3 design )

[@ElectricTeeth]

Most holders will bear the weight of any toothbrush such as the Pro 3. With the iO you are talking about turning upside down which affects the weight distribution. Where the weight is usually at the bottom, when upside down it's at the top. Water doesn't seep through the handle, it just runs down the sides etc. Water shouldn't get inside the handle as such. The iO head attachment allows water to get in, but holes cause it to flow out and down the sides of the handle.

[@chemicalxv]

This definitely isn't just limited to the iO series. I have a Pro 1000 (that just uses the old physical metal pin connection) and get the exact same gross build-up inside the brush head despite leaving the brush head completely unattached when not in use.

[@smurfeco2.358]

I have the io 5 and you suppose to rinse it while its on and blow it theres holes so it can release the water . Then dry it with the towel i have mine for a month and i have no mold

[@farrahm8722]

I'm so cross, my 6 year olds oral B toothbrush was absolutely disgusting. This is unacceptable, huge design flaw. I don't feel it is safe for use.

[@SkinCareLuver]

Thanks so much. You just saved me a ton of money on a toothbrush I was deciding to buy. This junk is definitely not worth $300. Pure disgusting 🤢

[@andrejsuman8934]

I'm asking myself is it safe (for the toothbrush) to rinse the IO once weekly with 3% Hydrogen Peroxide? Started it with one which was already disfunctional and soon after stopped working so I don't know if it's from that. But am afraid to do it with the new one so I'm rinsing that with Isopropyl alcohol every few days.

[@deenixon1953]

I have had an Oral-B toothbrush for 15 years… I’ve had at least two of them for a total of 15 years… I rinse my brush every time I use it, flush it out and then tap the water out and then let it dry away from the handle… Have never had an issue!!!

[@lmichaelgreen288]

I agree with @MrHandsomeStudios and I follow a similar daily cleaning ritual. One additional step I recommend.... once a week - 10 days in addition to the daily cleaning, I pour a small amount of alcohol into the detached toothbrush head holding the bottom upward. I also reverse the angle of the toothbrush (brushing head horizontal and pour a little alcohol over the brush and into the open slot just below. You have bacteria in our mouth and using a bit of alcohol for cleaning periodically aids in preventing the accumulation of mold in the brush head. Isn't this part of the rationale for many mouthwash products adding a small amount of alcohol to their ingredients? I think this a less of a statement about Oral B or other toothbrush manufacturers and says more about some people being unwilling to take the minute required to sanitize a product that they will put in the mouth's daily!

[@allieneureither5637]

I just got the oral-b io3 and loved it up until i pulled it out of my drawer and it exploded with mold. So disappointing to see that there isn't really a solution.. Guess I have to clean my toothbrush multiple times a day...

[@crisdus]

My Genius had mold at the base, where the rubber grip starts. Looks so gross and can’t remove it

[@patriciaharlen4823]

I have this issue and have tried cleaning with Peroxide and not storing the head on the unit, so hopefully, it would air out. It doesn't work. The gross mold forms no matter what.

[@kondor4920]

I got a pretty good deal on the oral b io 9. Today I used it for the first time and was immediately wondering why there are these stupid holes in the brush attachment through which the toothpaste escapes absolutely everywhere, so I go on the internet and find this video. Needless to say, I'm anything but happy with the toothbrush and Oral B. How can they continue to produce and sell a product with such a fatal flaw? Mold in the toothbrush... Thats an absolute dealbreaker. I'm annoyed about the stupid holes, but a design in which mold is allowed to build up is inexcusable. Going forward I‘ll try to clean it very well, but as soon as mold forms on the thing it goes straight into the trash and I‘ll switch to a normal toothbrush again, or bite the bullet and spend another chunk of money on a Philips sonicare.

[@j3bb9z]

Maybe submerging the brush head in mouthwash when not in use would help. Or pressure cleaning it with oral irrigator.

[@ElectricTeeth]

Some have suggested the pressure of an oral irrigator/water flosser is very useful to help blast our any mould/debris.

[@stephaniesochan5273]

I have the older model brush heads and am meticulous about rinsing them well, cleaning with hydrogen peroxide and always detaching to air dry and it grows mold so fast! It’s driving me mental. It’s so gross as it can and has vibrated out into my mouth while I’m brushing.

[@aloniutube]

I don’t get why they make such a devious thing to begin with. The amount of mold inside is horrible

[@RomainQ]

To make more money. People will swap to new heads more often.

[@brackguthrie9470]

I take the brush head off and place it in the tray that came with my toothbrush. I have not had this problem.

[@snowyhogsmeade]

I wonder if a periodic white vinegar rinse or soak would help prevent this.

[@ElectricTeeth]

Quite possibly. I have not made this a habit to test and compare. The question is, should you have to do this?

[@snowyhogsmeade]

No you certainly should not! But are there good competitors in a round electric brush? Still searching. I haven’t bought one yet so I’m debating if I want to deal w this! Thanks for your helpful channel and replies!

[@michaelx357]

I thoroughly rinse the brush and handle after each use. I also flush the brush head and handle with peroxide before drying both and storing them. If your toothbrush gets that nasty it’s from neglect.

[@dp-gc3nt]

Would it then be best to get the sonicare prestige as the top of the line electric toothbrush? I want to keep mine for ages and have it be as hygienic as possible

[@ElectricTeeth]

If you are set on having a premium/top of the line toothbrush, then yes, it is my top pick. But, question whether you need such a premium brush. You could save yourself a lot of money by considering one with less features.

[@dp-gc3nt]

@@ElectricTeeth thanks for the reply! I spilled on the sonicare prestige

[@jessaabraham]

Does anyone know if this could cause GERD and other stomach issue? I started having stomach issues two months ago. Today when I looked into the oral b tooth brush it was filled with mold. I always clean head and air dry separately. I am highly allergic to mold. Till age 47 I have not had any stomach issues to complain about. But last three I am struggling with stomach issue. Been using oral b for past one year based on my dentist recommendation.

[@tilakrajhegde188]

After brushing place the brush head in the solution of Hydrogen peroxide or combo of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar...

[@dlove108]

don't mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar!

[@kroozzy9863]

Has anyone placed a magnet to the debris that taps out to test if the debris may be metallic friction particles ?

[@ElectricTeeth]

I certainly haven't. Nothing I have seen would lead me to suggest they are metallic particles. They look different.

[@uranium5694]

Out of all the electric toothbrushes that are out on the market the Oral B io has the biggest problem with mold ? Meaning it gets moldy easier than others ?

[@ElectricTeeth]

For our testing yes.

[@uranium5694]

@@ElectricTeeth Thank you for this information !

[@measuretwicewoodworks]

Rinse brush and handle after every brushing and it’s 100% clean

[@Wimmle]

So really a clean with isopropyl alcohol and a cotton bud/tip is a must every few months.

[@disneytoysr4fun975]

I found that dunking it in hydrogen peroxide was easier. You simply watch the mold sizzle away. Well technically I switched to sonicare, but if I was still using oral b i would use hydrogen.

[@stuboy261]

I use a water flosser to spray high pressure water through my toothbrush head to clean it. You would think that just in the interests of making money companies who make these would make a spray cleaner device for this.

[@RomainQ]

They make more money by selling more replacement heads

[@MrDAN572]

Eeeek!! I just got the Genius X and I hope I won’t have mold issues with it.

[@ElectricTeeth]

If you keep the head clean by rinsing it after use, you should be ok.

[@MrDAN572]

@@ElectricTeeth thank you

[@GaearGrimsrudd]

I’ll take a q tip and dunk in rubbing alcohol and clean the inside of the head every so often. The gaps in the top of the brush are more concerning 😢

[@AX-fx7ng]

Maybe if we can just SOAK / DROP the entire head into some kinda Sterlizing liquid Alcohol?

[@BukuiZhao]

Another reason to replace your toothbrush head. However, you should always clean it after every use.

[@deathstrike8992]

This should be a class action lawsuit on the iO series. Oral B knows it builds up mold but refuses to acknowledge it’s a design flaw. How many people have gotten sick from putting black mold in their mouth?

[@cwill2127]

🙄 this won’t get you sick. Huuuuuge pet peeve but peoples obsession with how mold “gets you sick” is infuriating and for the most part, NOT evidence based. Quackery. Same with the whole detox and parasites crowd

[@RomainQ]

For sure. They are doing this on purpose for profit.

[@cwill2127]

@@deathstrike8992 babe it’s not gonna get you sick lmao. Crunchy people and their “mold illness” is so incredibly annoying it’s not funny

[@deathstrike8992]

@@cwill2127is this sarcasm or just stupidity?

[@cwill2127]

@@deathstrike8992 oh no it’s delusion for you. You’ve been conned into thinking mold will get you sick. Probably think you have parasites and need to buy into cleanses too

[@virsli100]

how about just isolating all the holes with a tape?

[@ElectricTeeth]

Possible, but then the tape may rub against the surfaces in your mouth and cause a grime buildup etc.

[@Monika-n9g]

Is it fine to wash the handle in soap and water?

[@ElectricTeeth]

A rinse under the tap is fine. Adding a mild soap should be ok, although not officially recommended.

[@taylorlanette94]

Mine did this! And I tried cleaning it, then ended up breaking it. So pissed! lol but glad I came across this because I will be buying another oralB toothbrush.

[@yuhyuhyuh6]

This is why mouth blow dry it everytime I use

[@WCephei77HD]

Now, what is Oral B doing about this issue? What do the designers have to say? This is a major health and safety issue, no joke, I want my money back!!

[@maricarol85]

I guess you'd need to contact Oral B about that question. Maybe if they get enough complaints about the mold issues, they will do something about it. At least I would hope so!

[@RomainQ]

The designers will say it works as intended. The goal is to make people buy new heads more often. Those are very cheap to make and they sell it with a huge markup. It's just another subscription business model and they are abusing it.

[@junikorkor]

I guess is not much of a concern if you change heads every 3 months. The benefits of an oscillating head far outweigh the mold issue imo. The molds develop over time especially if you always rinse the head and keep it dry as possible. Just my thoughts.

[@Mac-pluto]

This is an issue even within a month, especially if you brush your teeth teeth multiple times per day

[@googlyeyes1709]

Oral B does not recommend that you store the brush head on the electric toothbrush after use! It does not matter if you press it down fully or not when not in use, store the brush head on the side.

[@vbc2059]

Funny there's no reference to a Sonicare being open up and cut in half. No electric brush head can be full water tight and mold and lime+toothpaste will depose no mater how much you clean them. That's why you need to clean them daily, replace heads each 3 months and probably the handle every few years. I'm thinking about the amount of people buying a new i-phone every year for one or two extra features and paying 1000+ $ but expecting a brush to hold for ages.

[@beardiemom]

Got an Oral B Genius X for 2 months now, checked it and it has literally *no* mold or build up in it.

[@ElectricTeeth]

Do you rinse it thoroughly after use?

[@beardiemom]

@@ElectricTeeth Yes, very

[@Lloyd.B.]

I stuck a bit Sellotape over the holes on the 3000 - and will probably do the same for the IO3 I'm getting. I don't care why they put the holes there, I bet it won't make much difference to longevity. Ah I see you got an answer from them why they are there. Their reason is pretty bogus I think. How is filling the inside with bacteria filled toothpaste going to help keep it clean inside?.. Keeping that OUT is likely to keep it cleaner, as long as you do still rinse it out every now and again.

[@Lloyd.B.]

Seems to be working well at the moment, 2 weeks in, obviously it's too soon to know if it will work long term. No toothpaste gets in there though. I just rinse the head and toothbrush after using it.

[@AhmadH.]

oral b really need to address this issue and release a new versions of the io without these holes . im staying with my genius oral b till they fix this and dont tell me about these cleaning regime task you do everytime to clean your io notice that many ppl do this and still get mold or gunks . even if it does work why do i have to do that while the genius is just rinse the head for 3 secs and move on all clean like normal toothbrush

[@user-hs9zi8uk1p]

so its not worth the money on the IO sereis?

[@ElectricTeeth]

As a general rule there are better value options. The mould issue still potentially affects other Oral-B brushes.

[@VoidBass6412]

I have an IO 6 and cleaned it a lot. After 6 months IT's Not usable anymore because of mold. You Just cant get it out entirely out of that plastic around the Motor (where you would Stick the brush on) im considering the Genius X now, because it only has a small Metal point reaching out, will be a lot easier to clean. I had that Design for many years and it never failed me.

[@user-hs9zi8uk1p]

@@VoidBass6412 like the 4000 series, right?

[@VoidBass6412]

@@user-hs9zi8uk1p i dont know about the 4000 Series. Im trying to clean my io 6 with chlorite now, if it doesent Work im buying the Genius X

[@Argonauta-wn1zc]

La serie io es imposible limpiarla, es una marranada, es un tremendo fallo de diseño.

[@alexw2886]

Thanks for an interesting video. However, it is a mistake to differentiate powered toothbrushes by their brush head movement. Both Oral B and Sonicare (and others) are "sonic" toothbrushes, regardless whether the bristles move back and forth as part of an arc (Oral B) or whether the brush head goes up and down (Sonicare). See Wikipedia under "electric toothbrushes".

[@ElectricTeeth]

Yes, technically you are correct. I can't argue with this. We actually state just this on our own website. As I am sure you understand, many people consider them different due to the way they have been marketed and the interest of simplification of the differences.

[@Vantavimeow]

I just used a waterflosser to clean mine and it killed the brush 😂 going to try Ordo as I can't be doing with these stupid bluetooth toy gimmicks oralb and sonicare are trying to upsell

[@amberd4591]

I used one of your videos to choose which Oral B io to buy… really appreciated the content, but I wish the video had mentioned this issue! Money down the drain and landfill in the Earth. I can’t believe Oral B are getting away with this.

[@ElectricTeeth]

I am glad you have found our content useful. Many of our iO videos were filmed before we were able to do full testing and understand this issue and it's impact. This isn't an issue for everyone so we are careful not to include in all videos as we don't want to make a bigger thing of it than it might be.

[@DidYouReadEULA]

Being a clean freak, I keep a close eye on my heads and have yet to see any signs of molding whatsoever, but I'm a germaphobe like Puddy in Seinfeld. OCD wins one for a change!

[@georgiopapakonstantinou1580]

I feel ignorant for not realizing this sooner

[@rickdavid1795]

I wonder if soaking overnight in vinegar and water would help?

[@ElectricTeeth]

Possibly. I've not actually tried this. I suspect a long soak is going to be more beneficial than nothing at all. You would just want to avoid the bristles absorbing the vinegar really.

[@charonme]

this makes me want to spray it with alcohol disinfectant with a bit of citric acid

[@charonme]

so I've been using one head for far more than the recommended 3 months to see if I get this gunk too, but dude you must be doing something wrong or your water/bathroom/air is overly contaminated because I get no gunk whatsoever and I haven't even been spraying it with disinfectant, just rinsing it with cold water

[@MembroDeOuro]

The secret to keeping the brush clean is to put your mouth on it and blow on both holes, only the air will throw all the water particles out.

[@aravindv9291]

Has anybody tried using a water flosser to clean the heads?

[@ElectricTeeth]

I've not. It could be quite effective, but possibly quite messy too!

[@aravindv9291]

@@ElectricTeeth I tried it with my portable water-flosser and it was not too messy, but not sure how effective it was. So far no buildup but I’ve only had my oral-b io8 for 3 weeks. Will update after a few months…

[@maricarol85]

Any updates?

[@aravindv9291]

@@maricarol85 Well, I haven't been using the water flosser to clean the brush head. Instead, after every use I just take the brush head off the handle and wash them both under the sink. So far, no buildup.

[@mansoryO]

i knew me using an air pressure cleaner made sense.

[@johnindalecio306]

I put mine in the dishwasher occasionally

[@skylarc8859]

this is why you replace the brush head every month

[@Blossomthebunne]

I found a maggot in my tooth brush. 😀

[@Brezel85]

I use electrical toothbrush for over 20 years now. From all manufactureres. And never ever, had any of my handpieces or brushheads looked like the ones in the video. yuck. This looks like it isn't even rinsed off after usage. No way any brushhead (and handpiece) will look like that after 3 months.

[@peepo1460]

You just clean it after use and replace the head it's not hard.

[@haterskeephatin101]

Why is it always the oral b io