How and Where are oral b toothbrushes made?

1. who owns oral b brand？

Oral-B is a brand of oral hygiene products, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash, that has been in the market for over 60 years. The brand was founded in 1950 by Dr. Robert W. Hutson, a periodontist, who invented a toothbrush with soft, synthetic bristles that were gentle on gums. Since then, Oral-B has become one of the most well-known brands in the oral care industry, offering a wide range of products designed to improve oral health and hygiene. Oral-B is currently owned by Procter & Gamble and is sold in over 200 countries worldwide.

where are oral b toothbrushes made？

Oral-B electric toothbrushes are manufactured in various locations around the world, including China, Germany, Hungary, and the United States. The specific location where a particular Oral-B electric toothbrush is made may vary depending on the model and production needs. This article mainly discusses the Chinese manufacturers of electric toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes in China are mainly manufactured in Guangdong and Jiangsu provinces. But the electric toothbrushes made in the two provinces have their own characteristics.

Differences between ZheJiang and GuangDong Electric Toothbrush Manufacturers

How to manufacturer an Electric toothbrush?

Manufacturing an electric toothbrush involves several steps that require precision and expertise. In this section, we will provide a general overview of the steps involved in manufacturing an electric toothbrush:

ID Design and Mechanical Design : 

The first step in manufacturing an electric toothbrush is to design the product. This involves creating 3D models and prototypes of the toothbrush (ID design), as well as determining the materials and components (Mechanical and Electronic Design) needed to produce it. A qualified electric toothbrush manufacturer should have a strong R&D Team

Usually, the buyer provides initial design drawings for OEM of electric toothbrushes, and the manufacturer will modify and improve the details according to feasibility. The ODM service of electric toothbrushes is designed and produced by the manufacturer or a third party.

Prototyping:

After the two parties confirm the initial design of the electric toothbrush, they will enter the prototype manufacturing stage, which will take one month to manufacture a functional prototype of the electric toothbrush. This is to verify the feasibility, functional and appearance characteristics of the product.

Injection molding of handle and other plastic components:

After completing the test of the functional prototype, it will enter the mass production stage of the electric toothbrush. The handle and other plastic components of the toothbrush are typically made using injection molding. This process involves injecting melted plastic into a mold and allowing it to cool and solidify to create the desired shape.

In addition to manufacturing solid-color (single-color) handles, it is also possible to manufacture two-color or multi-color electric toothbrush handles by overmolding. Such as two-color handle electric toothbrush has a more beautiful appearance and detachable electric toothbrush is easy to take apart and store for travel. It is also possible to decorate the handle by adding some electroplated metal rings. So we can choose the right material and the desired appearance according to the purpose to make the electric toothbrush handle. This allows a variety of options for the appearance of the handle. Of course, the price is different.

Electric Toothbrush PCB and other Electronics Manufacturing: 

The functionality of the electric toothbrush is realized by PCB and electronic components. For example, we can implement a 5-mode 3-level force electric toothbrush to provide up to 15 brushing modes. It is also possible to achieve an electric toothbrush with a pressure sensor to prevent damage from excessive force or a comfortable strength to massage the gums.

These functions as well as charging mode(Such as wireless charging electric toothbrush), lighting mode, etc. are completed by the circuit board with electronic components.

Therefore, an excellent electric toothbrush manufacturer also needs to have the ability (SMT production line) to manufacture PCB.

Core Technology of the Electric Toothbrush Manufacturing-Magnetic Levitation Motor

In an electric toothbrush, the magnetic levitation motor can power the brush head, which oscillates or vibrates at high speeds to clean teeth and gums. Some toothbrushes may also include sensors or other advanced features that rely on the motor for their operation. According to research, the motor of an electric toothbrush with a speed of 34,000~41,000 PRM (revolutions per minute) has the most efficient cleaning efficiency, which is 100 times the cleaning efficiency of manual toothbrushing.

An excellent electric toothbrush motor has the following features：

High Speeds: Electric toothbrush motors typically operate at very high speeds, ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of revolutions per minute (RPM). This allows the brush head to vibrate or oscillate rapidly, which can help to remove more plaque and bacteria from teeth and gums.

Low Noise: Because the motor is often located near the user’s head, it is important for electric toothbrushes to operate quietly. Many toothbrush motors are designed to produce minimal noise and vibration, which can help to make the brushing experience more comfortable.

Durability: Electric toothbrush motors must be able to withstand frequent use over a long period of time. Many motors are designed with durable materials and advanced cooling systems to prevent overheating and prolong their lifespan.

Energy Efficiency: Because electric toothbrushes are often powered by batteries, it is important for the motor to be energy efficient. Many toothbrush motors are designed to consume minimal power while still providing high levels of performance.

If an electric toothbrush manufacturer has a magnetic levitation motor production line. Then it will greatly save the overall cost of the electric toothbrush, because the motor may be the most expensive part of the electric toothbrush.

Accessories Assembly:

The components of the toothbrush, including the handle, brush head, and motor, are assembled together using automated machinery. The brush head is typically attached to the handle using a locking mechanism that allows for easy replacement.

Motor assembly: The motor of the electric toothbrush is typically assembled separately and then inserted into the handle during the assembly process.

Quality control:

Once the toothbrush is assembled, it undergoes extensive quality control testing to ensure that it meets the required standards. This includes testing the vibration frequency, motor strength, and battery life, waterproof testing among other factors.

Packing

After QC, qualified electric toothbrush are packed and shipped to customers.

How much does it cost to manufacture an electric toothbrush?

The cost of manufacturing an electric toothbrush can vary depending on various factors such as the brand, materials used, manufacturing processes, and location. However, a rough estimate of the cost breakdown for an electric toothbrush can be around $7.50-$17.50 USD. A cost table below summarizes the manufacturing process of the electric toothbrush mentioned above:

 How to choose a reliable toothbrush electric toothbrush in China?

Importance of choosing a reliable electric toothbrush manufacturer

Choosing a reliable manufacturer is critical for ensuring the success of any project. A reliable supplier provides high-quality products that meet the required specifications, delivers products on time and as promised, and offers cost savings through bulk purchasing and volume discounts. It’s also essential to consider factors such as supplier reputation, financial stability, and compliance with environmental and social regulations. By choosing a reliable supplier, you can minimize project risks, ensure the quality of the final product, and achieve project goals within the allocated budget and timeline

Tips of choosing a reliable electric toothbrush manufacturer in China

As a senior procurement in China, the following suggestions are my procurement experience over the years. It can provide an effective reference for you to choose an excellent electric toothbrush manufacturer in China:

Manufacturer or Assembler?

There are countless electric toothbrush factories in China. But some factories only have assembly lines. This means that such manufacturers do not produce accessories for electric toothbrushes, but purchase or outsource all accessories for electric toothbrushes, and then assemble them through their own assembly lines.

The disadvantage of this kind of manufacturers is that when there is a problem in the external supply chain, they will not be able to solve the problem, which will lead to the abortion of the OEM or ODM project of the electric toothbrush. This will greatly harm the interests of the buyer.

For example, the assembly plant orders custom-made injection molds for electric toothbrushes from other mold manufacturers. But the mold factory closed down and liquidated. The assembly plant will not be able to solve this problem.

The integrity of the production line 

Cost-effective:

Manufacturers with a complete electric toothbrush production line can control costs to the greatest extent.

For example, manufacturer A has a complete production line. Factory B has a complete production line except for the motor. Then manufacturer B will be 1~2 USD more expensive than manufacturer A when producing the same electric toothbrush

Risk resistance

Manufacturers with a complete electric toothbrush production line can solve any production problems internally at any time without relying on external supply chains. Especially the core technology and important accessories. This will increase overall project resiliency and faster turnaround times.

Manufacturing experience

Having a complete production line means controlling costs and risks to the greatest extent. But manufacturing experience is the icing on the cake. For example, the electric toothbrush supplier you choose has 20 years of production experience and a complete production line. Then the manufacturer can provide your products with strong market competitiveness and price advantage to a great extent

Production Qualification

If the electric toothbrush you need to produce requires special qualifications, you need to check whether your supplier’s qualifications are complete. 

Financial Status 

With the global spread of the epidemic. Many manufacturers are struggling to support. Especially in 2023 this year, China has just ended the epidemic for 8 months. You need to understand the supplier’s financial situation from all aspects. Because your manufacturer’s financial situation determines their ability to solve problems when they arise. You can understand the financial status of your suppliers by understanding the life of employees, fixed assets, etc. Of course, the best way is to visit the factory.