How to Choose a Suitable Toothbrush for Your Kid?

Didn’t you rejoice at the eruption of your child’s first tooth? You probably didn’t think about the challenges you must confront when looking at the tiny tooth of your child and spend time telling one and all how your child was developing. Did you even think you must shop immediately for a child-sized toothbrush? Here again, you probably thought you could walk into the neighbourhood drugstore and purchase any toothbrush displayed on their shelves. As a parent of a newborn, becoming excited looking at your child’s first tooth is natural. However, you can help yourself overcome the minor challenge confronting you by inquiring about children’s toothbrushes with kids’ dental. Ensure you provide them with a toothbrush suitable for their mouths.

Even after seeking advice from a kid’s dental, you encounter another challenge when you visit a drugstore or supermarket looking for a toothbrush suitable for your kid. The choices displayed on the shelves will likely overwhelm you by their sheer numbers. You must consider various factors like your child’s age, your child’s favourite colour or cartoon character, which they might want to be featured on the toothbrush and the quality. It is why pediatric dentistry in Hamilton, ON, has created a guide on selecting a suitable toothbrush for your kid.

What Does the Dental Facility Suggest for Choosing Toothbrushes for Kids?

The dental facility suggests choosing age-specific toothbrushes for your kid from infancy until adolescence. They also provide information on when the kid’s toothbrush needs changing to keep them practical for use. The guidelines of this dental facility include the following:

Babies and Toddlers

Many pediatric dentists advise parents to clean their child’s gums with a soft and damp washcloth before any teeth erupt. The Hamilton pediatric dentistry suggests using an ultra-soft toothbrush on your child’s gums before any teeth emerge is also perfectly fine. You must ensure you choose a toothbrush for your kid with bright and funny colours, looking for an ultra-tiny head to fit in your child’s mouth.

Toddler toothbrushes in bright colours appealing to children are also available. Such toothbrushes help encourage your toddler to engage in the brushing and flossing routine. Toddler toothbrushes also have tiny heads and large handles making it easier for small hands to grip.

Age 5 to 8

Although requiring some supervision, most kids can brush and floss their teeth between five and eight. Toothbrushes for the 5 to 8 a group looks similar to adult toothbrushes but have smaller heads. However, these toothbrushes also have smaller grips than toddler toothbrushes, sufficient to keep up with your child’s improving manual abilities.

Here again to help yourself by taking your child with you when shopping for their toothbrushes. Children’s toothbrushes for the 5 to 8 age group often have cartoon characters. If your child accompanies you during the shopping trip, they can pick a toothbrush featuring their favourite animated character.

Preadolescence

Around the age of eight and higher, your child can brush and floss independently. Toothbrushes for children in the preadolescence age are similar to adult toothbrushes slimmer heads.

Electric Toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes are available even for children. However, before selecting an electric toothbrush for your kid, discuss the brand with the children’s dental clinic your child visits to seek advice on proper use. Electric toothbrushes have different brushing techniques and the best style head for children.

Changing Children’s Toothbrushes

The general rule for changing toothbrushes for everyone remains similar. A toothbrush requires replacing the moment you notice the bristles no longer stand upright or are frayed. In addition, a toothbrush needs changing even after your child falls sick due to any reason. Failing to change the toothbrush can encourage bacteria on the brush to reinfect your child later. An easier option for you is to replace the toothbrush every 90 days.

One feature when selecting children’s toothbrushes is to look for a soft-bristled variety regardless of the age of your child. Soft bristles are comfortable on sensitive teeth and gums, while the more complex combination can irritate the gums and don’t clean the teeth more effectively.

Before you visit any supermarket or drugstore and stroll down the aisles looking for a suitable kids toothbrush, schedule a consultation with Rymal Family Dental. They provide all the information you need to appropriately care for your child’s teeth.