An oral care implement sanitization system that includes an oral care implement and a case for storing the oral care implement and activating a sanitization or sterilization procedure. The oral care implement may include tooth cleaning elements, a light source, and a first electrical coupling element operably coupled to the light source. The case may include a housing having a cavity for holding the oral care implement, a power source, and a second electrical coupling element operably coupled to the power source. When the oral care implement is positioned within the cavity of the housing of the case, the first and second electrical coupling elements are operably coupled together. Operable coupling of the first and second electrical coupling elements initiates, either immediately or upon the occurrence of some additional action, activation of the light source for sanitizing or sterilizing the tooth cleaning elements.