Choosing the Right Toothbrush for Your Child
Our staff at The Pediatric Dental Studio is always available to answer any questions that patients may have. One of the most common questions we receive regarding children’s dentistry is how to pick the right toothbrush for your child. These tips will ensure that your child has a healthy smile and a healthy mouth.
Brushing for babies and children
You can start a gentle routine of tooth brushing even before your baby has their first tooth. This will keep their teeth clean and help them become more familiar with a healthy routine. Baby toothbrushes are small, brightly colored, soft, and small enough that they can fit in tiny mouths. Your child can start to brush their teeth when they turn two or three years old. Preschoolers are able to brush their teeth, but they will not be able to do a thorough job. To ensure that they don’t miss any areas, they need to be supervised.
Toothbrush size is important
A child’s toothbrush is not the best choice because their mouth is smaller. We recommend that you purchase a toothbrush made for children. For optimal performance, we recommend that a toothbrush be at least an inch in length and half an inch in width. If you are using a circular motion to clean your teeth, the brush’s surface must be large enough. Make sure the brush you choose is able to reach the back of the child’s molars. For children, toothbrushes with a thicker handle make them easier to grip. Many toothbrushes have child-friendly designs featuring cartoon characters or movies. This is just another way to encourage young people to brush their teeth regularly and thoroughly.
Bristle Texture
As an adult, we recommend using a soft-bristled brush. The same goes for children at The Pediatric Dental Studio. The softest bristles are best. Because hard bristles, even medium-hard bristles, can cause damage to the delicate gum tissue and strip enamel from your child’s teeth.
Manual or power
Sonicare toothbrushes are recommended by The Pediatric Dental Studio. Other battery-powered toothbrushes don’t perform as well as their manual counterparts. They can be fun to use for children, increasing their brushing time. Some models beep to notify them when the two-minute limit is reached. This can encourage young people to adopt better habits. An adult with braces can benefit from a power model. It is difficult for teens to brush in a circular fashion around their brackets. No matter what toothbrush you have, a good technique should be used. Ask your dentist to show you and/or your child the best way to brush your teeth.
You will be amazed at the number of toothbrushes available when you walk down any pharmacy’s dental health aisle. If you are still not sure which toothbrush to buy, make sure it is stamped with the American Dental Association seal of approval. To make an appointment, please contact our friendly staff at The Pediatric Dental Studio. We are happy to help you select the right toothbrush for your child’s best dental health.