Choosing the Best Toothbrush for Your Child
You can use a soft bristle toothbrush on your child as young as infancy — even before they have any teeth at all! Choosing the right toothbrush is a little bit different at each stage of your child’s development.
In Infancy
The right toothbrush for infants who have few teeth is a special baby-sized toothbrush with extra soft bristles. While you’re mainly just brushing the gums at this stage, that is extremely helpful in maintaining your baby’s oral health. It’s also a good way to help your baby grow used to oral care routines from a very young age.
In Toddlerhood
As your child enters their toddler years, they’re going to be more interested in the brushing process. Many toddlers are interested in choosing their own toothbrush, in fact. Show your toddler several toddler sized toothbrushes, preferably in different colors and fictional characters, and allow them to choose what they like. While you’ll still be doing most of the brushing at this stage, the toddler years are a great time for your child to learn good brushing habits by watching what you do.
At Ages 5-8
Your child will be able to choose their own toothbrush at this age, although you do need to restrict them to brushes designed for kids. Brushes that are specially designed for this age group do a great job of cleaning combination teeth (both baby teeth and emerging adult teeth.) Go ahead and get a battery powered toothbrush which allows the bristles to move on their own and provides a 2-minute timer to the brushing.
In the Pre-teen Years
When your child is over the age of 8, they can choose a brush that is designed for pre-teens. These brushes are nearly as large as adult brushes, although the heads are a bit smaller. Kids in this age group often love to personalize their brush choice based on favorite color, hobbies, or other interests.
Contact Sunshine Smiles Pediatric Dentistry anytime to make an appointment for your child!