With the numerous options to choose from, deciding a toddler’s toothbrush can often be tricky. Little kids love toothbrushes that have bright colors and characters so they can enjoy brushing.
So what are the choices of toothbrush for your child?
Finger Toothbrush
Finger toothbrush can gently clean a baby’s emerging teeth and gums. The brush is made from pure silicone, so it is very soft, comfortable and won’t cause irritation on the baby’s sensitive gums. Finger toothbrush can be used with or without toothpaste. If you want to use a toothpaste, be sure that it has no fluoride. Some baby toothpastes come in fruity flavour and contain Xylitol to give a sweet taste.
The fun part about finger toothbrushes is that they look similar to finger puppets, so you can easily trick them by pretending it’s their playtime session. To use it, simply place the finger brush over your index finger. Wet the brush and gently massage the baby’s gums and teeth.
Baby Toothbrush
A baby toothbrush is different from the typical ones. With small heads and extra large handles, they fit perfectly into your child’s tiny oral cavities. Most parents simply use soft cloths for cleaning but professionals actually recommend the use of baby toothbrushes.
Electric Toothbrush
Kids love battery-powered toys and electric toothbrush are no exception. Electric oscillating brush can effectively remove more plaque than manual toothbrush and it makes tooth brushing faster. Some products come with timers so your child can get used to the recommended 2-minute brushing habit.
Manual Toothbrush
A manual toothbrush is good for kids over five years old as it allows them to hone their brushing skills. Ideal toothbrushes for kids’ this age are those with thinner handles. The reason is that they have wider tooth surfaces to brush and have already achieved a stronger grip.
Does Age Matter?
No matter the age of a child, your kids’ teeth must be cleaned twice a day to ensure health teeth and gums and proper oral health. Always supervise your kids’ brushing to make sure they’re doing it right.
In addition, kids toothbrush should be replaced more frequently. It should be replaced when the bristles are already slanting or every three month. Also, get a new one after your child gets sick. Using an infected toothbrush may cause an illness or make the illness last longer.
Tip: Since you’ll be replacing your child’s toothbrush more frequently, you may consider buying a few extra toothbrushes so you won’t be bothered to go out when replacing your child’s brush.