Finding the Best Toothbrush for Kids

• How to Choose the Right Toothbrush
• Electric vs. Manual Toothbrushes for Children
• When to Replace Your Child’s Toothbrush
• Age-Specific Recommendations

Instilling good oral hygiene habits into children is one of the most important things any parent can do. Teaching children to brush correctly early in life sets them up for a lifetime of healthy teeth. And that’s not all. There’s a direct link between the health of your mouth and the health of the rest of your body. In fact, good oral hygiene can help prevent serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

If you’re the parent of a young child, the first step to teaching your child good brushing habits is to select the right toothbrush. If you’ve passed through the drug store dental hygiene aisle, you’ve no doubt seen the wide variety of choices. Knowing when a child should start using a toothbrush and what kind of brush you’re looking for can help you quickly narrow the selection down to find the best kids toothbrush. 

How to Choose the Right Toothbrush

To determine what kind of toothbrush your child should use, consider the following factors. 

Toothbrush Size

Sizing isn’t typically an issue when purchasing a toothbrush for an adult-sized mouth, but it’s incredibly important when choosing the best toothbrush for a child. Why? Smaller mouths need smaller brushes. Many times, toothbrush manufacturers put some guidance on the front of the brush, suggesting the age range that will benefit the most from a particular product. 

Parents should also evaluate the size of the brush in relation to their child’s size. The right-sized brush should easily wrap around the entire front and both sides of a child’s molars. If a brush doesn’t adequately cover the entire surface area of a tooth at once, consider sizing up. 

Bristle Softness

Children aren’t always gentle brushers, especially when learning proper brushing techniques. Choosing a brush with soft bristles can protect their sensitive gums and enamel from damage during brushing. Soft bristles are especially important for little ones who are still teething because they’re gentler on tender gums. Remember that you won’t want to choose an adult soft-bristle brush — soft-bristle toothbrushes for kids are softer than adult varieties. 

Toothbrush Type

We’re often asked, “Are electric toothbrushes good for children’s teeth?” Electric toothbrushes can be a great option once your child is a little older — typically 3 years old and up — and more experienced with brushing. Although manual and electric brushes can do an excellent job of cleaning teeth and gums, electric toothbrushes can be a novel way to encourage reluctant kids to brush thoroughly. Electric toothbrushes for kids come in various colors and feature different characters to entice even the most stubborn brushers.

Electric vs. Manual Toothbrushes for Children

There are two primary types of technologies in electric toothbrushes: sonic technology and oscillating-rotating technology. While the former offers a vibrating motion, the latter uses a spinning and rotating motion to clean teeth. 

The benefits of an electric toothbrush for kids include:

• They are fun and easy to use.
• Some designs have built-in pressure sensors to help your little one avoid brushing too aggressively.
• Specific models have a two-minute timer that can help regulate brushing times.
• The electric motion is often more effective at removing plaque from teeth.

There are also some potential disadvantages to consider. For example, electric toothbrushes may be uncomfortable for some kids, and kids who have sensory processing issues might not like the vibrations or oscillating motions. Additionally, electric models are typically more expensive than manual toothbrushes. 

Manual toothbrushes have these benefits to offer:

• They’re comfortable for kids of all ages.
• They offer different levels of bristle hardness.
• They teach kids to brush their teeth properly.
• They’re more affordable. 

Manual brushes are generally more affordable than electric varieties, and they can also help instill proper brushing motions from an early age. Even though learning how to use the brush may be tricky at first, kids can learn the correct circular brushing motions over time. 

When to Replace Your Child’s Toothbrush

Whether you choose an electric or manual toothbrush for your child, you will need to replace it regularly. Toothbrushes are not designed to last forever — over time, the bristles wear down and fan out and become ineffective at removing plaque. 

Ideally, you should replace your child’s toothbrush every three months or when the bristles start to wear down and fray. You may also want to replace the brush if your child has been ill — the toothbrush may harbor germs that can reinfect your little one. 

It’s also good practice to replace your child’s toothbrush when it becomes too small. Following a growth spurt, replace your child’s brush with a larger size to suit their bigger teeth. 

Age-Specific Recommendations

You can follow this guide to transition your child to a larger toothbrush size. 

0-1 Year Old

It’s never too soon to instill good oral hygiene. While newborns don’t have teeth just yet, parents should clean their gums after they eat. Even before baby teeth emerge, bacteria can grow in a baby’s mouth. Both formula and breast milk contain sugars that bacteria can feed on, so wiping down your baby’s gums is good practice. 

During this time, a traditional toothbrush is not the most suitable choice. Even soft-bristle brushes can irritate a baby’s soft gum tissue. Instead, use a finger brush or clean wipes that are safe for a little one’s mouth. Finger brushes for babies are made from soft silicone rather than wiry nylon bristles. The rounded tops of silicone bristles won’t scratch little gums, and they also make practical teething toys. If you opt for a finger brush, remember to choose BPA-free products.

However, silicone baby brushes are not designed to remove plaque, so you’ll want to switch to an infant toothbrush when baby teeth erupt!

2-5 Years Old

Now’s the time to find your little one’s very first big-kid toothbrush! Toddler toothbrushes are slightly larger than infant varieties, and they have extra-soft bristles. They typically have large, short handles that fit perfectly in tiny hands. 

6-9 Years Old

When your child reaches this age group, you can start shopping around for an electric or manual kids’ toothbrush. These brushes have slightly bigger heads and longer handles. 

10 Years Old and Up

Once your little one is a full decade old, their mouth and teeth are big enough for an adult-sized toothbrush. While you may find it a bit harder to find kid-friendly designs and styles, you can still choose between fun colors. 

Foster Good Oral Hygiene at Any Age With Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Teach your child the importance of good oral hygiene with regular brushing and regular visits to the dentist. At Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’re committed to helping your child establish good habits to protect their teeth and gums for a lifetime. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association recommend children see their dentist for the first time within six months of cutting their first tooth or around their first birthday — whichever milestone occurs first. Schedule your child’s first dental appointment today.