Now that your little one’s teeth have finally emerged, you want to choose the right kids’ toothbrush. Lifelong oral health starts with the child’s teeth. It is important to set the stage and get them interested in brushing their teeth. You’ll want to choose a brush that is the right size, shape, and texture. There are manual and electronic toothbrushes for kids, too. When in doubt, you can look for kids’ toothbrushes that have received approval from the ADA.
It is good to remember that sometimes a fun-looking toothbrush can encourage your kid to be excited about brushing their teeth. If you are interested in protecting the environment, there are also some plastic-free kids toothbrushes made from alternatives like bamboo and plant-based fibre bristles.
Why Choosing the Right Toothbrush for Your Kid Is Important?
If their pearly whites are finally starting to show, it means it’s time for you to start caring for your kid’s teeth. No matter your child’s age, every kid should learn the importance of caring for their teeth. The earlier, the better. Developing a child’s oral hygiene routine will help create good habits for their future. When they arrive at the age where they want nothing but sweets, they will also know how to brush properly and to care for their pearly whites.
Tips to Choose the Best Toothbrush for Your Child
Here are some quick tips when choosing the right toothbrush for your kids. There are toothbrushes for every age. You’ll always want to choose soft bristles. Consider the size of the brush head and handle. Most kids’ toothbrushes will have the suggested age written on the package. Also, look for the ADA’s stamp of approval. Toddler toothbrushes are often more fun to look at.
Babies and Brushing
Some parents use a damp cloth to remove residues left on their baby’s gums even before baby teeth emerge. You can also use an ultra-soft toothbrush. Babies start developing their first teeth between 6 to 12 months old. It is important to choose a brush with a small head to fit in the baby’s mouth. You may want to opt for plastic-free heads to minimise plastic intake, especially during the early stages of life.
Toothbrush Size Matters
You’ll want to avoid using an adult toothbrush in a child’s mouth. Adult toothbrushes have different spaced bristle placement made for adult teeth. An adult toothbrush won’t give their tiny teeth the scrub they need; it could actually hurt their gums and cause them to dislike brushing their teeth in general. Always check the size of the handle and head of the toothbrush. There are toothbrushes made for babies, toddler toothbrushes, and toothbrushes made for older kids. As your child grows older, it is crucial for them to hold their toothbrush handle by themselves. The toothbrush’s head should also be adapted to their mouth and tooth size.
Bristle Texture
It is important to always choose a soft or extra-soft bristle texture for your kid’s teeth. Unlike adult teeth, medium or hard bristles may hurt their sensitive gums and can even damage their tooth enamel. For this reason, it is recommended never to buy adult brushes for your kids.
Manual or Power
There are also manual and electronic toothbrush options for kids. Manual toothbrushes are the most common option because of their low cost and solid reputation. Electric toothbrushes can also be a good option, especially if your child takes a specific interest in having one. It is good to consult a children’s dentist to get their professional opinion and know about the latest technologies.
Fun Fact
Per National Dental Care, toothbrushes bristles were made from Siberian hog hair until the beginning of the 1900s. In 1938, the “soft-bristle Miracle Tuft Toothbrush” was invented. Then 10 years later, Oral-B began mass-producing toothbrushes that resemble the ones we still use today. For more fun toothbrush facts, check out 30 fun facts about toothbrushes.
Look for ADA Approval
The Australian Dental Association has a webpage dedicated to giving you information about everything you need to know about child dental care from ages 0–11. You can also check out the list of ADA-approved dental products.
Handles and Heads
The handles and heads of your kid’s toothbrush should be chosen based on size. There are tiny head options for a baby’s mouth. Toddler brushes are generally designed with a small brush head and soft grips. They sometimes have suction cups on the end so that they are easier and more fun for kids to use. The right size head is necessary to clean teeth effectively. Clean teeth mean healthy teeth. It is crucial to protect your kid’s teeth, especially around age 6, when they tend to have a peak in cavities.
Summary
As your kid grows, so do their dental needs. Choosing the right toothbrush and maintaining a proper tooth brushing routine will help your child develop good oral health habits. Beyond selecting a toothbrush, it is important to teach them to brush twice a day and teach them about flossing their teeth as well. Kids can enjoy learning about general oral health topics if you make it fun.
Developing an oral health routine can influence them to care for their teeth during the crucial years of development and help prevent dental caries. You can get them interested in teeth brushing by getting them a toothbrush with their favourite animated character. It is important for your kids to develop a healthy relationship with their dentist. At Mosman Fine Dental, we host Kids Day for this purpose.
Kids Day is all about FUN! With games, giveaways and competitions held throughout the day, it’s the perfect way to introduce your child to our practice and often helps you avoid taking your child out of school to attend their appointment. Contact our offices to schedule an appointment or to learn more about Kids Day. You can also visit our website to read about our many services.
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