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When you walk down the oral care aisle at your local store, you’ll see everything from singing toothbrushes to plain old bristles and plastic. You might be wondering what kind of toothbrush is best for your child out of all these options. Which is going to be the most effective and which one do you think your son or daughter will prefer.
First off, how old is your little one? If they’re infants still, you can purchase a baby brush, which is placed over your finger to softly clean their front teeth. Make sure to use special fluoride-free toothpaste, since they will be swallowing the paste with this brush. You can use these until they decide to start chomping on your fingers—yow!
Graduating to a real toothbrush will help spare your fingers, but also allows you to reach those baby molars once they start erupting. Start with a larger, toddler-oriented toothbrush head, and continue using a fluoride-free paste until the child starts to spit it out.
Once your kiddies start getting their adult teeth, around 5-12 years old, it’s time to supply them with larger, longer brushes to help them reach their back teeth. It is now crucial to use fluoride toothpaste so their new sparkly whites are healthy and clean. Once they reach a certain age, they should also be introduced to flossing, with kid-friendly flossers, which are easier to use, and more comfortable than the traditional kinds.
Until your child is patient and mature enough, it is a good idea to supervise their teeth brushing so they do not brush too hard, or too fast. Remember to stick with soft bristles, regardless of if it is an electric, manual, glittery, or singing kind. Mandating twice a day brushing and regular dentist visits can help instill good hygiene habits in your children that will last a lifetime.
