Choosing the right toothbrush can be quite a challenge these days. It is amazing how many different toothbrushes are available for sale in the store. There are soft bristled, medium bristled and hard bristled toothbrushes, manual and electric toothbrushes and even ones with different sized handles and brush heads. All these different available options can make it difficult for when you need to buy your child a new toothbrush. Luckily, we can help.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Toothbrush for Your Child
Choosing the right toothbrush for your child is extremely important. If your child uses the wrong toothbrush it can cause damage to the teeth and gums. Damage to teeth can cause pain, sensitivity, and tooth loss.
Cavities can also start to form if the wrong toothbrush is used. This happens because the toothbrush will not be able to properly clean the teeth. Over time, plaque and decay can start to form which eventually leads to the development of cavities.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Toothbrush for Your Child
Before purchasing a toothbrush for your child you will want to take several things into consideration. Some things to think about include:
- Manual vs. electric
- Size of the toothbrush head
- Size of the handle
- The texture of the bristles
- Overall appearance
- Quality of the toothbrush
Kids Need Small Toothbrushes
Technically, a child could use an adult toothbrush if they really wanted to, but it wouldn’t properly clean their teeth. Adult toothbrushes are designed for mouths that are bigger, wider and have more teeth. Children’s toothbrushes are smaller which allows them to reach all the teeth in your child’s mouth.
Manufacturers will often put general age guidelines on the front of the package. Parents can use the guidelines to determine if the toothbrush will be an appropriate size for their child.
Go with the Soft-Bristled Toothbrush
The bristles on your child’s toothbrush will come in various textures: soft, medium, and hard. Unless your dentist has specifically told you to purchase a medium or hard bristled toothbrush, choose the soft bristled toothbrush.
Soft-bristled toothbrushes are strong and sturdy enough to help remove plaque and food particles from around the teeth without damaging the enamel or the surrounding gums. Medium and hard bristled toothbrushes are extremely stiff and can irritate and damage the protective enamel that surrounds your child’s teeth and tear up the gums.
The Debate Between Manual vs. Electric Toothbrushes
Deciding whether to use a manual or an electric toothbrush is really a matter of personal preference. Some parents prefer to give their child a manual toothbrush as they are more affordable while other parents prefer an electric toothbrush because it can help assist their child with cleaning their teeth.
Help Your Child Out with a Larger Handle
Handle size is something that needs to be carefully considered when looking for a toothbrush for your child. It might seem better to get a toothbrush with a smaller handle as your child’s hands are smaller, but you want to do the opposite. You want to get a toothbrush with a larger handle as it will help them maneuver the toothbrush around so their teeth are properly cleaned.
Personal Preference for Color and Style
Manufacturers realize that children don’t always like to brush their teeth. In an effort to encourage children to brush their teeth they create toothbrushes in various colors and styles. They even create toothbrushes that play music or feature favorite cartoon characters on the handle.
Find a High Quality Toothbrush
Look for a toothbrush that has an American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Approval. This stamp is placed on toothbrushes that have undergone strict quality testing to make sure they are safe and effective for use by children.
Learn How to Properly Brush and Floss
Choosing the right toothbrush for your child is only helpful as long as your child knows how to properly brush and floss their teeth. Even the best toothbrush in the world will cause damage to your child’s teeth and gums if you don’t properly brush. Luckily, the dental staff at Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics is there to help.
The Pediatric Dentist and Orthodontic professionals at Ponte Vedra Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics can help teach you and your child how to properly brush and floss. Call our office today to schedule an appointment for your child.