There are many choices of electric toothbrushes on the market nowadays. It may take trying some out to find the one that works best for your child. Some are louder than others, some have softer or harder bristles, some vibrate harder or softer against your child’s gums. You just keep in mind that children have much more of a strong gag reflex than adults so make sure the brush head is the appropriate size so it will be as comfortable as possible.
If you use an electric toothbrush yourself show your children how you brush and get them familiar with the noise it makes and shows them how sparkly your teeth are after using it!
Supervise your child while brushing their teeth with an electric toothbrush
If you make it seem not scary to them then they will have a better chance at successfully introducing them to an electric toothbrush. Until your child is able to tie their own shoes they really need supervision while brushing to make sure they get every surface. Electric toothbrushes give your child a head start because they do a better job than manually toothbrushes. Electric toothbrushes allow your child to more effectively clean all areas of their mouth with less effort and in less time!
What age can a child start using an electric toothbrush?
Usually, I recommend waiting until a child is at least two years old before introducing an electric toothbrush although the average age is around seven. Whatever you do don’t force the issue because it can cause apprehension in the future if you choose to reintroduce an electric toothbrush.
5 Ways to determine the right electric toothbrush for children
- You need to make sure the toothbrush you choose is of high quality. It needs to do a good job at removing plaque.
- Make sure the bristles are not too hard as to damage the enamel or gums. If plaque is not removed, your child’s mouth will become a breeding ground for oral disease.
- Make sure the head of the electric toothbrush is the correct size for your child’s mouth. It is important to purchase an age-appropriate brush for your child. Too large of a brush will make them gag and too small may not effectively clean all the areas of their mouth.
- Remember that it is imperative to replace brush heads a minimum of every three months or after your child has a cold. Lower quality electric toothbrushes may not even have bristles that last that long. Look at it as an investment for your child’s oral health.
- I recommend investing in a rechargeable electric toothbrushes. Rechargeable toothbrushes tend to be of a higher quality and have a longer life than those powered by batteries.
The 3 favorite electric toothbrushes for kids:
- Philips Sonicare For Kids
My overall favorite rechargeable electronic toothbrush is the Sonicare for kids. It’s replaceable brush heads, rechargeable base, and fun design makes it child-friendly and fun to use. - Oral B Stages Electric Toothbrush
Another good option is the Oral B Stages Electric Toothbrush. Its’ smaller brush head is a suitable option especially if your child has a strong gag reflex. Once again the fun design and bright colors make brushing fun for your child while effectively cleaning their teeth. - Kids electric toothbrush
A newer toothbrush out on the market is the Quip. It looks like a manual toothbrush but vibrates for effective cleaning. What makes this brush different is that it is battery powered but it has a subscription service that sends your child a new brush head and battery every three months which makes it very convenient and you won’t have to track when to change out their brush head.
Please feel free to contact Anchorage Pediatric Dentistry at (907) 562-1003 if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s oral health. Our Board Certified Pediatric Dentists would love to answer any questions you may have regarding your child’s dental health or any questions you may have about pediatric dentistry and what we are trained to do!
