A pacemaker is a small device implanted under the skin, typically near the collarbone, that uses electrical pulses to regulate a slow or irregular heart rhythm. For the millions of people who rely on them, questions often arise about the safety of using everyday household electronics, such as the electric toothbrush. This article clarifies the safety of using this common oral hygiene tool, explaining the low risk involved and outlining practical steps for safe use.
The Direct Safety Answer and Risk Assessment
For the vast majority of individuals with a modern pacemaker, using an electric toothbrush is considered safe. Scientific studies consistently find that the device’s function is not altered during normal use. The risk of interference is minimal due to the very low power output of the toothbrush motor and the localized area of its operation.
The risk of electromagnetic interference (EMI) is inversely proportional to the distance between the field source and the pacemaker. Since an electric toothbrush is used in the mouth, it is kept at a significant distance from the chest area where the pacemaker is implanted. This separation, combined with the device’s low energy, prevents disruption to the pacemaker’s sensing or pacing functions.
Newer pacemaker models are built with improved shielding and filtering capabilities, making them less susceptible to external electrical noise than older models. While the charging base for some sonic models may generate a slightly stronger field, the toothbrush itself poses a negligible risk during operation. The current consensus is that the health benefits of maintaining good oral hygiene outweigh the small risk of interference.
How Electric Toothbrushes Interact with Pacemakers
The concern about electric toothbrushes stems from Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), which refers to unwanted electrical signals that can potentially disrupt an implanted cardiac device. A pacemaker detects the heart’s natural electrical signals and delivers a corrective pulse if a beat is missed or too slow. EMI can be mistakenly sensed as a natural heart signal, causing the pacemaker to temporarily stop pacing or pace irregularly.
All electric toothbrushes contain an internal motor and battery components that generate a localized electromagnetic field when operating. The difference in risk often relates to the type of mechanism. Standard rotating or oscillating models typically use a mechanical motor that generates a lower-frequency field.
Sonic and ultrasonic toothbrushes vibrate at much higher frequencies, theoretically generating a higher-frequency electromagnetic field. Despite this difference in mechanism, current research concludes that both types of electric toothbrushes pose little clinically significant risk to modern pacemakers. The electric field from the motor dissipates rapidly over distance, making it harmless by the time it reaches the implant site.
Practical Safety Guidelines for Pacemaker Users
Although the risk is low, pacemaker users should adopt simple practices to ensure safety while using an electric toothbrush. The most important preventative measure is maintaining distance between the active part of the toothbrush and the implanted device. This is easily achieved by keeping the handle below the neck and away from the chest area during brushing.
If your electric toothbrush uses a charging base, particularly a wireless inductive charger, keep the base away from the chest. Manufacturers recommend maintaining a distance of at least 6 inches (about 15 centimeters) between the charger and the pacemaker. The charging base, which contains a stronger magnet for power transfer, should not be stored in a shirt pocket or placed on the chest while charging.
The same principle of distance applies to other electric oral hygiene tools, such as electric flossers or water picks. These devices also contain motors that generate EMI, but they are generally considered safe as long as they are not held directly over the pacemaker site for an extended period. If you experience symptoms like dizziness, palpitations, or an unusual sensation while brushing, immediately turn the device off and move away from it, as the pacemaker will typically return to normal function when the interference ceases.
The most definitive guidance comes from consulting with your cardiologist or the pacemaker clinic, as they have specific information about your particular device model and its tolerance to EMI. It is also helpful to check the manufacturer’s manual for your specific electric toothbrush, as some models may carry specific warnings related to implanted medical devices.