As parents, we surely want the best for our children - and that especially applies to their oral health. It is important to inculcate a good oral care routine from a young age, to create a lasting foundation of strong and healthy teeth. That’s why, when it comes to brushing their teeth, you may wonder if a manual toothbrush would work better for your kid or an electric toothbrush. Here is the simple answer to clear your doubt - before the age of three, it is better if you use a baby manual toothbrush with extra soft bristles to brush your child’s teeth. However, after the age of three it is safe to use an electric toothbrush for their optimal oral health.
Why use an electric toothbrush for kids?
Here is why using an electric toothbrush for young kids is a good idea:
Easy to use:
Young children are often not very efficient in brushing their teeth well. Using an electric toothbrush will make the job easy and will do most of the work for them. Electric toothbrushes come with built-in timers to let the child know that it is time to stop brushing. Moreover, the brush head moves on its own and kids do not have to do it by themselves
Efficient plaque removal:
Electric toothbrushes are more efficient in removing plaque as compared to a manual toothbrush. Sometimes when kids brush by themselves, they can find it hard to reach some spots in their mouth such as the back teeth. So, using an electric toothbrush can help - and not to mention, keep early childhood cavities and tooth decay away.
Novelty:
Using an electric toothbrush can be exciting for kids, as it can be something new for them. Getting them enthusiastic about it can make it easier to get your child into a brushing routine twice a day.
How to choose an electric toothbrush for kids
As a parent it can be confusing to choose the perfect electric toothbrush for your child. This is because not only must the electric toothbrush be efficient, but it also needs to cater to the child’s other needs such as fun and playfulness to help them get into a healthy brushing habit. Here is how you can choose an electric toothbrush for kids:
Bright colours:
Kids are naturally attracted to bright, vibrant colours. Getting a regular toothbrush for them can be boring and dull - instead, get a children’s electric toothbrush which is not just colourful but may also have popular cartoon characters on them which the children can relate to.
Easy to hold:
Check the grip of the electric toothbrush - your child needs a toothbrush that is easy to hold and has a good grip. Preferably, go for an electric toothbrush which has cushioned non-slip grips.
Soft bristles:
Young children have sensitive gums and teeth that are still developing, and therefore they need a toothbrush with bristles which are soft. Moreover, the brush head should be small and child-sized, which can comfortably fit into your child’s mouth. Make sure you replace the brush heads in a timely manner, especially when they have worn out.
When it comes to an electric toothbrush, at the end of the day you want something that is efficient and fulfils a child’s need for wonder and playfulness. You can go for Oral-B kid’s electric toothbrush which is one of the best electric toothbrushes for kids. It has soft bristles, a sturdy grip, and is very efficient at removing plaque. What’s more, Oral B kids electric toothbrush comes in vibrant colours and has an amazing range of Star Wars Electric Toothbrush and Frozen Electric Toothbrush for children - talk about making brushing fun and interesting for your kids!
How to brush your child’s teeth?
Whether your child is attempting to brush his/her teeth independently, or whether you are brushing your child’s teeth, there is a proper technique one must follow. Although it is better if you brush their teeth till, they are a bit older. Here is how you can brush your child’s teeth effectively using an electric toothbrush:
Use a fluoride toothpaste:
When the child is young, it is important to use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste while brushing. But hold your horses - read the labels well and try not to exceed the quantity of 1350-1500 ppm of fluoride. Excessive fluoride is also not good for the teeth and can lead to fluorosis in children, which although is not serious, can still leave white spots on the teeth and hamper their dental aesthetics.
Clean each tooth individually:
Place the kids’ electric toothbrush at a 45-degree angle from their gum line, and then apply gentle pressure in a circular motion while cleaning each tooth individually. Clean each tooth for about 10 seconds each and repeat the motion on every tooth surface - if need be, tilt the brush to reach the insides of the smaller front teeth in a more effective way.
Spit or wipe the excess toothpaste:
Here’s the catch - as adults we are habituated to rinsing our mouths with water immediately after brushing our teeth. But when it comes to children, especially when you use a fluoride toothpaste for them, it is important to just spit or wipe the excess toothpaste from their mouth without rinsing. This is because fluoride toothpaste builds a protective layer of fluoride for their growing teeth, which is removed when the child rinses the mouth water.
So here is how you can help your kids brush their teeth. You can also check out the Ultimate YouTube Playlist for kids by Oral-B so that kids can enjoy their brushing time thoroughly!
