Best Toothbrush for Kids

Every parent wants their children to live happy and healthy lives, and having good dental health is paramount for that. It’s no secret that the best oral care begins at home, so we should pick dental care products for our kids rather carefully. But what to do when you’re surrounded by a multitude of brands and information so finding the right product seems like looking for a needle in a haystack? Not to mention that before the purchase, we have to consider other factors such as the child’s age, ability, and personal needs as well.

But what if we told you it doesn’t have to be that daunting because we’ve come up with this guide for picking up the best toothbrush for your child? You’re welcome!

General Recommendations

Regardless of your child’s age, the most important thing to keep in mind when choosing the toothbrush for them is that it should come in the proper size – it mustn’t be too small or too big. They should be able to hold it and manipulate it without any obstacles. An ideal toothbrush for your child needs to have soft bristles that will be gentle to their teeth and gums. Nowadays, there are medium and hard-bristled toothbrushes available on the market too but you should avoid them at all cost. The American Dental Association also suggests that adults should use soft-bristled toothbrushes to avoid damaging teeth enamel and adjoining gums.

Best Toothbrushes for Babies

As you probably know, dentists encourage parents nowadays to start practicing oral hygiene in infancy. In the beginning, you should wipe your baby’s gums with a damp cloth between feedings. Once teeth start to erupt, you can use a small toothbrush with a tiny head to clean their gums and help them get used to the idea of brushing twice a day. There are also ultra soft-bristled toothbrushes currently available on the market, and these can be used on sensitive gums for children who still haven’t got their first baby teeth. They are also perfectly safe and suitable for babies.

Top Toothbrushes for Toddlers

Typically, toothbrushes for toddlers are soft-bristled with small heads and big grips, rendering them a great choice for little kids. At this age, children still aren’t effective enough at brushing and their spitting reflex isn’t fully developed yet but chances are they are interested in the process, especially if they often watch you brush your teeth in front of them.

Which Toothbrush to Choose for Bigger Kids?

Once the child reaches the age of 5, they are usually ready to brush their teeth almost independently. Toothbrushes for bigger kids usually have slim grips (since they develop more dexterity at this point) and slightly bigger heads because their jaws are becoming bigger. However, kids should still brush under an adult’s supervision. By the time a child reaches their eighth birthday, they will be ready to use toothbrushes that look almost like the ones used by adults, only with slightly smaller heads and grips.

Manual or Electric: Which One is Better?

The American Dental Association claims that there’s no significant difference between manual and electric toothbrushes, and it all comes down to personal preferences. The good thing about electric toothbrushes is that they come with built-in timers and even some other alarms and indicators and basically do most of the work for you, which is a great choice for children who are having trouble sticking to their dental hygiene routine. However, the majority of electric toothbrushes aren’t suitable for children under three. 

Allow your child to choose their toothbrush

If you allow your child to select their toothbrush according to their taste, this could make brushing more fun for them, and even entice the development of good oral hygiene habits. Therefore, let them pick their toothbrush whenever possible – you should still make sure the head’s the right size and fits their mouth, of course, but they can select the one in their favorite color or with their favorite cartoon character on it. This will encourage them to brush regularly and build a better oral care routine. 

If you’re still not sure which toothbrush to choose for your child, you can always get in touch with your pediatric dentist and ask them to provide you with a piece of advice!

Final thoughts

Having a good toothbrush is essential for your child’s dental health. However, making sure they use it regularly is even more important. That said, make sure they brush their teeth twice a day, for two minutes each time to prevent different problems with their teeth and gums. Supervise the brushing process to help them make the most out of it. Encourage them to be consistent with this and buy them a new toothbrush or toothbrush replacement head every three to four months or once it wears out.

Does your child have a favorite toothbrush brand? Which one is best in your personal opinion? Don’t hesitate to share your experience in the comment section below!