Dental hygiene from an early age is extremely important. But, as we all know, most of our kids don’t think that way. It’s like a battle that takes years to win.
But, we love them unconditionally, and a smelly breath won’t change it.
To try and prevent tooth decay, plaque and everything that comes with it, we’re bringing you a few tips on how to pick the best electric toothbrush for kids.
Best electric toothbrush for kids
What’s the right age for starting with a best electric toothbrush for kids?
Most of the partners start with cleaning their baby’s teeth by wiping with a soft cloth or brushing with a small soft toothbrush and water. Dentists recommend to start using a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste to brush your child’s teeth at 18 months.
This is our favorite electric toothbrush for kids (click on the image):
The kid should be at least three years old when starting with an electric toothbrush. Of course, they’ll need your help at first. The good thing is that there are so many different features in today’s electric toothbrushes that the kids want to brush five times a day. At least at the beginning.
We don’t want to give you high hopes – the excitement fades away after a few days. But we’ll take what we can get.
Benefits of an electric toothbrush for kids
The main advantage of an electric toothbrush for kids is efficiency. Most of the electric toothbrushes can move thousands of times in one minute, which is clearly a bit more than your kid’s little hand.
It also has an all-around mechanical precision, so kids who don’t necessarily have the dexterity to properly brush their teeth, can just turn it on and move it around their mouth. The toothbrush is controlling the cleaning movements.
The ‘cons’ of an electric toothbrush are a higher price point, brush heads that need to be replaced periodically (added expense) and they need to charge or have the batteries replaced. We prefer the ones with a charging station, but it’s totally up to you.
What should you be looking for?
When picking the best electric toothbrush for kids, there are a few things you should have in mind.
One of the most important ones is the brush head. The right brushing technique has a major role in preventing cavities. Look for a small head with soft bristles that will fit properly in their mouth and be gentle, yet effective on their teeth. You don’t want it to be abrasive, just strong enough to get rid of the plaque and leave their pearly whites as clean as possible.
Also, check for the ergonomic handles with cushioned non-slip grips that will fit easily into little hands. It may take a while to find the best electric toothbrush for kids, but it’s worth it.
Some modern toothbrushes even come with the magic timer app that makes kids brush their teeth longer. Those interactive elements certainly affect their willingness to brush and take care of their dental hygiene.
If possible, give your kid a choice when picking a new toothbrush. You decide on the main functionalities, but give them an option to choose a character, color and the look of the toothbrush. It will positively affect their attitude towards brushing and hopefully make your life easier.
Remember, functionality first. Soft bristles, properly sized brush head and ergonomic handle should be the top three priorities when picking the best electric toothbrush for kids. Like many other things involving kids, this isn’t something to skimp on. But, they deserve it.
Hopefully, they’ll think the same way when it’s their turn to take care of us.