It is important to inculcate good habits in growing children. Teaching your baby to brush is also one of these. But before this, it is important to choose the right toothbrush for kids. The right brush helps to clean teeth properly and keep them healthy.
If you are also a new parent, then take the first step to include the good habit of tooth brushing in your children’s daily routine by choosing the right toothbrush. The abundance of brushes available in the market and their tempting promises leaves one with a dilemma. In such a situation, understand here how to choose the right toothbrush for children.
How to choose a baby toothbrush?
When there are so many toothbrush options in the market, it becomes difficult to choose the right toothbrush for children. Everything like the shape and texture of children’s toothbrushes is different. You can choose such brushes to encourage your child to take care of his teeth.
Baby and Toddler Brush
- Before the teething of small children, their gums should be cleaned daily with a damp cloth.
- You can buy silicone baby brushes before teething. These brushes are not effective after teething.
- As soon as a baby’s first tooth emerges, buy a brush with soft bristles.
- Brightly colored toothbrushes work well to encourage children to brush their teeth.
- Choose a toothbrush whose front part is small and easily fits in the child’s mouth.
- The handle of the toothbrush should not be too big and hard.
- By the age of two, toddlers start showing interest in brushing themselves. At this time, give them a brush with soft bristles and a slightly longer handle.
- The brush handle should have a good grip.
- Toothbrush made from BPA-free materials
Five to Eight years old
- Children this age can take care of their dental health independently. Toddler toothbrushes should have a thin handle.
- Cartoon toothbrushes attract children of this age. You can buy a toothbrush with your child’s favorite cartoon character.
- Toothbrush made from BPA-free materials
Are electric toothbrushes good for kids’ teeth?
When the child is above 3 years of age or starts brushing properly, an electric toothbrush may be a better option. Although both manual and electric brushes do a good job of cleaning teeth and gums. But for a child who is reluctant to brush, an electric brush can become a means of encouragement.
It comes in different colors, designs, and cartoon characters, so even stubborn kids can get ready to brush.
When to get a new toothbrush for your child?
Toothbrushes don’t last forever. It is important to replace these from time to time, especially when small children are using them. In general, baby toothbrushes should be replaced every three months. Additionally, the child’s toothbrush should be changed in these circumstances.
- Tearing, breakage or shortening of the brush bristles is a sign of changing the brush.
- If the child has grown and his/her current toothbrush is small and does not cover the entire molar surface, a new toothbrush should be purchased.
- The child’s toothbrush should be changed even after illness. As soon as the child recovers, buy a new brush. You never want the germs from an old brush to make your child sick again.
You have now learned how to buy the right brush for your child. But just buying a toothbrush won’t help. You have to explain the importance of oral hygiene to your child.
