A powered toothbrush is disclosed wherein portion of the toothbrush head is movable about a hinge. The movable portion of the head reciprocates about that hinge through the interaction of a flexible extension of that portion containing a slot. Movable within the slot is an offset end of a rotating drive shaft connected to the power source in the toothbrush. Translation of rotation movement of the drive shaft to reciprocating movement of the hinged head is achievable in a manner that the power source is not stalled or burned out if movement of the toothbrush head is prevented or limited.