The Sonicare UV Sanitizer uses a small but strong light bulb inside a chrome-painted plastic housing to kill electric toothbrush bacteria on a daily basis. All one needs to do is shake the water from the brush head, insert it into the capsule, close the door, and push a button. Ten minutes later, when the small green light stops blinking, the brush head is free of at least 90% of bacteria. (Don’t think about the other ten percent!) Does it work? Since I’m not a microbiologist, I can’t say for sure, but all the warnings that come with the box suggest that the light is powerful enough to do the necessary damage.

The Sanitizer comes with adaptors that accommodate brush heads of multiple brands of electric toothbrushes: Sonicare, Oral B, and Braun. Not only do the adaptors address difference in bottom connectors (round or rectangular), but they also adjust for differences in height to keep the bristles at the right level. Users can insert the larger Sonicare brush assembly or a much smaller Oral B brush or both at the same time. (See product picture for illustration.) Since I use an electric toothbrush only once a day and use a traditional brush at other times, I wish that the housing could fit regular brushes as well. That feature might make this product nearly perfect.

Unfortunately, the unit sterilizes only the brush heads and not the entire brush. This means that the interior needs to be cleaned at least once a week, if not more often, because of the saliva-and-water mix that drains from inside the brush and down its sides. The bottom tray and adaptors snap out fairly easily for cleaning; however, it would be nice if the entire interior compartment emerged germ-free.

Although the sanitizer comes with strict warnings about not touching the bulb, making it not appropriate for use in the bathrooms of young children, it does have the safety feature of shutting off if the door is opened during operation. The canceled operation won’t cool the bulb, but it will stop the UV radiation. The plastic bulb housing seems to protect the bulb adequately from all but the tiniest fingers. (I’m not even sure toddler fingers could get in, although kids have been known to defeat a host of safety devices.)

The unit is lightweight and compact enough to pack on a trip for those who travel with their electric toothbrushes and who don’t like the idea of invisible germs lurking in their bristles, even for a few days. All you’ll need is a standard outlet and a small flat surface to set it up.

I like the Sonicare UV Santizer for its easy of use. Maybe it’s giving me a false sense of security since I can’t tell whether it works or not, but ignorance can indeed be bliss.