You’ve probably seen a small animal or butterfly icon on your toothbrush handle and wondered why it was there. I used to think that the symbols were just a cute idea by a manufacturer to give the toothbrush a more playful feel, possibly to make the product more appealing to children. However, the truth behind those small symbols is a bit more interesting than I thought.
As most of us know, families usually have multiple electric toothbrushes that connect to the same base unit. If you live in a large household, like I do, you know how difficult it can be to identify which toothbrush head belongs to which user. This is exactly the problem that those small symbols solve.
Oral-B is an example of a brand that includes various animal or shape symbols on their interchangeable toothbrush heads so that consumers may easily recognize the correct toothbrush head for their use. These shapes could be anything from a cat, to a butterfly, to a circle, or a star, etc.
Because many families share the same electric toothbrush model, these small icons function as personal identifiers. As opposed to accidentally swapping toothbrush heads, each user will recall which symbol is associated with their toothbrush head.
This has absolutely nothing to do with how old you are, whether you’re brushing with the soft, normal, or whitening setting, or whether you’re using a child’s toothbrush or not; this is merely a method to ensure that users can identify whose toothbrush is which.
How Does the System Work?
The system works very simply as well. Each replacement head of your electric toothbrush (i.e., from Oral-B) will have a unique symbol or colored ring. For example, if you purchase a four-pack of replacement heads, you might find that one head has a cat symbol, while another has a butterfly symbol. Another head might have a star symbol, and the fourth head may have a heart symbol. You simply choose a symbol for each user, and that will become the identity of their toothbrush.
And it is not just the symbols alone. Many manufacturers also provide colored rings as additional identification tools. The pairing of a visual symbol with a specific colored ring creates a much better opportunity for users to correctly identify their toothbrush heads, unless you have a situation where two heads with the exact same symbol and color have been placed side by side (and I’m sure that has happened before).
Myths Surrounding Toothbrush Icons
There are several common misconceptions surrounding toothbrush icons:
“The cat icon means it’s for kids” – No. I’ve seen adult men using the cat icon. Age is irrelevant here.
“Different icons represent different brush functions” – False. The symbol itself represents no change in bristle type, intensity, or brushing mode.
“It’s just part of the design” – Sort of, but not really. Yes, it does look cute, however, it’s there for a functional purpose: to allow users to keep track of their toothbrush heads.
We used to Sharpie our initials on the plastic of our toothbrushes until we realized this. Now every single family member has a symbol, and we no longer have issues with toothbrush heads being mixed up. The animal symbols on electric toothbrush heads save users time, confusion, and ultimately, their health.
Using Symbol-Identified Toothbrushes
If you’re new to using symbol-identified toothbrushes, here are some recommendations:
Assign each person in your household a specific icon and/or color. Make it formal, perhaps even create a small “toothbrush ceremony” if you want to go all in.
Store your toothbrushes upright in such a manner that allows you to clearly view the icons. No more wondering whose toothbrush you grabbed!
These visual indicators not only prevent cross-contamination between individuals within a household, but they also assist in preventing hygiene-related accidents during the early morning hours. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to use your roommate’s toothbrush after they went out late.
A Small Detail, a Big Difference
While this may seem like a minor detail, having an identifiable symbol on your toothbrush makes a huge difference in keeping your toothbrush personalized and your mouth healthy. It’s a great example of good design, both in terms of functionality and aesthetics.
Next time you purchase replacement heads for your toothbrush, take a moment to examine the symbols and possibly select your favorite. And the next time you look into the mirror and see that small cat face or butterfly staring back at you, you’ll understand that it’s your toothbrush’s way of saying, “Stay away, this is mine!”
