The Best Kids Toothbrush for Cavity Protection

Buying Guide: Kids Toothbrushes

Kids consider two minutes of brushing to be awfully long, and it is a real challenge for parents to make this activity enjoyable for them. Thanks to the incredible variety of child-friendly toothbrushes available today, it is getting easier to make kids excited about brushing their teeth. A kids toothbrush that checks all the boxes is difficult to find, because most toothbrushes are not long-lasting. Their bristles are either too sharp, too hard, or loosely attached to the base. Their handles are difficult to grasp and sometimes even break after a few sessions. Read on to find comprehensive criteria to find a high-quality kids toothbrush.

Choosing the Right Kids Toothbrush

Dentists recommend that you start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears. There is sufficient scientific evidence to support the benefits of brushing the gums even before teeth emerge. There are several kinds of kids toothbrushes, from simple finger brushes to app-enabled smart toothbrushes. Use the following guidelines to make a safe and healthy choice for your kid.

ADA approval

The American Dental Association’s (ADA) Seal of Acceptance means that the product is tested in a laboratory environment for safety and efficacy. The ADA seal on the product is necessary for kids toothbrushes because manufacturers frequently experiment with the designs and materials of kids toothbrushes to make them more interesting without equal regard to efficacy.

Safety

For ADA, safety means all components are safe to put in the mouth for the recommended duration.

Efficacy

ADA reviews the clinical studies for the correctness and audits the manufacturer if necessary. The clinical study must prove that the toothbrush has effectively reduced mild gum disease and plaque build-up in 30 days.

Age-appropriate toothbrush

Toothbrushes for toddlers have relatively smaller heads as compared to adults. The handle on their toothbrush should have a soft grip so their little hands can easily grab it. You should consider that toddlers will not be brushing their teeth on their own at this stage and may try a few strokes when the parent is done.

By age six, most kids can brush their teeth without adult supervision. This is where parents must ensure ADA seal on their kids’ toothbrushes so that safety and efficacy are ensured.

Types of Kids Toothbrushes

Kids toothbrushes have almost all the components that an adult toothbrush does, except that their heads are smaller and bristles are a little shorter. There are several ADA-accepted electric, manual, and app-enabled toothbrushes on the market for preschoolers and school-age children. This means that all options are effective in cleaning the teeth and gum. It has been proven in several research studies that battery-powered toothbrushes are almost twice as effective as manual toothbrushes and more fun for kids.

Electric toothbrushes are quite engaging for the kids, and some of them also have the features like built-in games that make brushing time fun for kids. The recommended age for the electric toothbrush and adult supervision must be followed.

Unconventional toothbrushes

U-shaped toothbrush

U-shaped toothbrushes (sometimes called Y-shaped) are specifically designed for kids as they don’t like to spend much time brushing their teeth. These convenient toothbrushes clean all the teeth simultaneously as they move them around their mouth, bite them, or play with them through random movements. These toothbrushes are very popular among children, but recent research shows that most of these products fall short of the required effectiveness. If you plan to buy one, we recommend looking for ADA’s acceptance seal.

Finger toothbrush

Finger brushing is a great way to culture baby’s gums for their first teeth. For toddlers, finger brushes are not as effective, because they cannot reach the gum lines. It’s still better to brush with a finger cap toothbrush than not to do it at all, as it freshens the breath and slightly reduces plaque.

Bristles

Bristle softness

The toothbrush with soft bristles is ideal for kids because it protects the protective layer on their teeth, also referred to as tooth enamel. On the other hand, medium and hard bristles are more effective in removing the biofilm, but they are not gentle on gums. Medium bristles can cause damage to the soft tissues of the gums and increase the risk of gingival abrasion.

Bristle trim

Rippled, multi-level, and angled bristles perform better than flat bristles because they reach deep into the roots and between the teeth.

Size

Consider the size of your kid’s mouth before buying a toothbrush with soft bristles. An adult’s toothbrush is too large for a kid’s mouth, and they might feel difficulty moving it around the teeth. They can even damage the gums because adult toothbrushes are wider than kids toothbrushes.

Toothbrushing Method

The ADA recommends that the toothbrush be placed at a 45-degree angle at the gumline. Keeping the toothbrush at the same angle, you can make short and gentle strokes gentle. Avoid overzealous brushing, even when you feel discomfort or the urge to remove something stuck in the teeth. The insides of the front teeth should also be cleaned by placing the toothbrush vertically behind them.

Kids’ Toothbrush Maintenance Tips

• When your child is done brushing their teeth, always ensure to thoroughly rinse their toothbrush because residue toothpaste and spit can settle in the bristles and ridges.
• If your kid is using an electric toothbrush with replaceable heads, a biweekly cleaning of the handle is important. You can use an alcohol pad to thoroughly clean the brush.
• If you store your wet toothbrush after using it in a closed container, it can use this humid environment to develop harmful microbes. It is better to let them air dry.
• Always replace your kid’s toothbrush if the bristles are coming off or when they’ve lost their shape. Kids love chewing the bristles, so they lose their shape earlier than the recommended three-month replacement period. Skewed bristles lose their effectiveness and may come off in the kids’ mouths.