After your kid grows their first few teeth, it becomes important to switch from gentle foam cleaning to a toothbrush. However, it’s not often a straightforward venture.
Even after seeking advice from a dentist, you encounter another challenge when you visit a drugstore or supermarket looking for a toothbrush suitable for your kid. The choices displayed on the shelves will likely overwhelm you by their sheer numbers. It would help if you considered various factors like your child’s age, favorite color, cartoon character, which they might want to be featured on the toothbrush, and the quality. Read on to learn what works best for each age group.
Babies and Toddlers
Many pediatric dentists advise parents to clean their child’s gums with a soft and damp washcloth before any teeth erupt. We suggest using an ultra-soft toothbrush on your child’s gums before any teeth emerge is also perfectly fine. You must ensure you choose a toothbrush for your kid with bright and funny colors, looking for an ultra-tiny head to fit in your child’s mouth.
Toddler toothbrushes in bright colors appealing to children are also available. Such toothbrushes help encourage your toddler to engage in the brushing and flossing routine. Toddler toothbrushes also have tiny heads and large handles making it easier for small hands to grip.
Age 5 to 8
Although requiring some supervision, most kids can brush and floss their teeth between five and eight. Toothbrushes for the 5 to 8 groups look similar to adult toothbrushes but have smaller heads. However, these toothbrushes also have smaller grips than toddler toothbrushes, sufficient to keep up with your child’s improving manual abilities.
Here again to help yourself by taking your child with you when shopping for their toothbrushes. Children’s toothbrushes for the 5 to 8 age group often have cartoon characters. If your child accompanies you during the shopping trip, they can pick a toothbrush featuring their favorite animated character.
Preadolescence
Around the age of eight and higher, your child can brush and floss independently. Toothbrushes for children in the preadolescence age are similar to adult toothbrushes with slimmer heads.
Electric Toothbrushes
Electric toothbrushes are available even for children. However, before selecting an electric toothbrush for your kid, discuss the brand with the children’s dental clinic your child visits to seek advice on proper use. Electric toothbrushes have different brushing techniques and the best style head for children.
Changing Children’s Toothbrushes
The general rule for changing toothbrushes for everyone remains similar. A toothbrush requires replacing the moment you notice the bristles no longer stand upright or are frayed. In addition, a toothbrush needs changing even after your child falls sick due to any reason. Failing to change the toothbrush can encourage bacteria on the brush to reinfect your child later. An easier option for you is to replace the toothbrush every 90 days.
One feature when selecting children’s toothbrushes is to look for a soft-bristled variety regardless of your child’s age. Soft bristles are comfortable on sensitive teeth and gums, while the more complex combination can irritate the gums and don’t clean the teeth more effectively.
Reference: Colgate
