{"id":1173,"date":"2022-02-17T01:59:48","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T01:59:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/graystonedental\/dental-care-blog\/your-childs-toothbrush\/"},"modified":"2022-02-17T01:59:48","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T01:59:48","slug":"your-childs-toothbrush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/graystonedental\/dental-care-blog\/your-childs-toothbrush\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Child\u2019s Toothbrush"},"content":{"rendered":"

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THESE DAYS, THERE<\/b> are so many toothbrushes to choose from that it\u2019s hard to find the right one for ourselves, let alone our kids. It\u2019s not as simple as just picking one, because not all children\u2019s toothbrushes are created equal. Let\u2019s go over a few of the factors to consider when searching for the perfect toothbrush for your child.<\/p>\n

The Experts on Toothbrushes<\/h3>\n

Our top goal as dentists who work with young patients is to provide better dental care for families, which includes knowing which toothbrushes will be most helpful for children who are learning how to take care of their own teeth. Here\u2019s a handy guide that can help you navigate the toothbrush aisle the next time you need to replace a toothbrush (which should be every few months \u2014 certainly by the time the bristles look bent<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

Electric Versus Manual<\/h3>\n

The first big question you might be asking is whether to get a manual toothbrush or an electric one for your child. While both types of toothbrushes have the same capacity to clean teeth, with recent studies showing that electric toothbrushes remove as much plaque as manual toothbrushes, electric toothbrushes might be the better choice for some kids<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A child with a tendency to brush too hard, who has limited dexterity, who needs help getting to their molars, or who has special needs and difficulties may be more effective brushing with an electric toothbrush. If your child is great at brushing and wouldn\u2019t benefit in this way, a manual toothbrush will be just great<\/strong> for them!<\/p>\n

Search for the ADA Seal of Acceptance<\/h3>\n

A good way to narrow down the pool of toothbrushes to choose from is to only look for toothbrushes with the American Dental Association\u2019s Seal of Acceptance<\/strong>. The Seal is awarded to toothbrushes every year by the ADA’s Council on Scientific Affairs, supported by a team of more than 750 leading scientists in fields like microbiology, pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. You know you can trust an ADA-approved toothbrush!<\/p>\n

Bristle Hardness<\/h3>\n

This one might seem a little counterintuitive. We tend to think that firm bristles mean more effective scrubbing. However, we\u2019re not trying to scrub out tile grout when we clean our teeth; teeth and gum tissue can be damaged by overbrushing, particularly with hard bristles<\/strong>. This is why we recommend soft-bristled brushes to our patients, especially for young children. Soft bristles are better for gums but still effective against plaque and food debris.<\/p>\n

Toothbrush Size<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s important to find a toothbrush that fits your child\u2019s hand and mouth. They won\u2019t be able to brush effectively with something too big, so make sure it\u2019s a child-sized brush. A non-slip grip might also be a good idea<\/strong> if they have a tendency to drop their toothbrush.<\/p>\n

Help your child brush for two minutes with this catchy toothbrush song:<\/b><\/p>\n