A lot of parents wonder what toothbrush is best for their child. With the overwhelming array of toothbrushes available, it can be difficult to know what to buy. I’ve simplified the process here, so you can get the right brush for your child and get on with your day.
Babies Without Teeth – Yes, it’s a great idea to start brushing your baby’s mouth even before the teeth erupt. Many parents report being surprised by a baby’s teeth because the teeth came in much quicker than they realized. Don’t get caught off guard. Start by using a finger wipe, finger toothbrush, or ring-style brush. There are also silicone-bristled, soft banana-style brushes you can try. You don’t need toothpaste at this stage. You can just use warm water and gently massage the gums. This will help get your baby used to the brushing routine and you won’t miss a first tooth.
Infants With Teeth – Once you see the first tooth, it’s time to switch to an infant soft-bristled toothbrush. There are many varieties, but you want to find a brush with very soft bristles. This will make it more comfortable for your child to have their gums brushed. Teething can be painful for some kids, and you can help reduce their discomfort by gently brushing the teeth as they erupt. You will be gently brushing the gums to help the teeth break through and finish their eruption into the mouth. Teething is a time when bacteria can irritate the gums, and you can reduce the bacteria by gently brushing.
Toddlers – Toddlers are on the move. The most difficult thing about brushing might just be getting them to stay still long enough. When my youngest finished this stage, it sometimes took creativity to complete the brushing process. We might start off brushing in the kids’ bathroom, brush through the kitchen, sit on a beach ball for the upper molars and then finished upside-down on the stairs. A workout for a tired parent at the end of the day but well worth the effort because this age group is so susceptible to cavities. Toddlers eat a lot of “cariogenic foods.” This is a dental term for cavity-causing foods. Examples of cariogenic foods are gummy snacks, sticky candy and sugary foods consumed over long periods of time, like lollipops.
Basically, toddlers need the most help brushing, in my opinion. They do not have the manual dexterity to correctly brush every surface of every tooth. They may eat a lot of cavity-causing foods and may drink more than the maximum recommended half-cup of fruit juice a day. Yes, that’s correct! The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends no more than one cup of fruit a day for kids aged one to four years old. And no more than HALF of that should be in the form of fruit juice.
Toddlers may want electric toothbrushes because they are fun. But check the size of the toothbrush head. Many are way too big for a toddler’s mouth. Parents can often find a toothbrush that just lights up or plays music and will interest their toddler more than the oversized spin brush.
Elementary-Age Kids – Many school-age kids graduate from the smaller toddler brushes to a regular adult-size brush. Look for a brush with soft bristles and help supervise brushing to make sure kids are getting the hard-to-reach cheek-sides of the upper molars and the tongue-sides of the lower molars. You can try out a spin brush at this stage. And don’t forget to change out the toothbrushes regularly since this age bracket can get frequent sore throats.
Teenagers – Teenagers are a pretty free-willed bunch. So, my advice at this point is to just monitor the actual act of brushing to make sure it occurs twice a day and to supplement with mouthwash to help reduce their bacterial load. Teenagers can select whatever brush they will actually use, and you can check with your child’s dentist if a whitening-toothpaste is suitable.
Whatever style brush you choose, it’s great you are spending a moment to think about your child’s oral health. So many young children get cavities before they even have a chance to participate in their own oral health care. Parent, grandparents, and everyone who cares about a child’s smile can help protect that smile by picking up a toothbrush and spending just a couple minutes helping brush. You can give your child a lifetime of healthy smiles.
-by Dr. Mandy Ashley
About Our Dentists: Dr. Mandy Ashley and Dr. Madison Galloway are Board Certified Pediatric Dentists proud to serve the communities of Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, and Glasgow! We look forward to sharing our vision of excellent comprehensive dental care that is fun for children and people with special healthcare needs with your family.
SKY Pediatric Dentistry has been providing dental care to children and adults with special needs since 2013. As board-certified specialists in dentistry for children, our team strives to make going to the dentist as fun as possible while maintaining high-quality treatment and preventative measures. We tailor treatment plans to each child and offer a wide range of treatment options, including sedation, in-office general anesthesia, and also hospital-based dentistry. With over 25 YEARS of doctor experience, SKY Pediatric Dentistry is a great choice for children’s dental care in Bowling Green, Hopkinsville, and Glasgow!