Pediatric Dentistry: Choosing the Right Children’s Toothbrush
One of the most important steps you can take to establish a good habit of regular teeth brushing for your child is to get them the right toothbrush. It is difficult enough as a parent to ensure that your kid regularly brushes their teeth. Finding them a fun, yet comfortable toothbrush can make it so that they are more willing to follow through with their oral hygiene ritual. One of the number one reasons that children shy away from regular brushing is because their toothbrush does not fit their mouth and causes discomfort. As such Dr. Scott and the pediatric dentistry team have created a guide to finding the right toothbrush for your child. Learn more below.Choose the Right Size and Bristles
Perhaps the most important aspect of choosing a toothbrush for your child is ensuring you have the right size. There are some general recommendations based on your child’s age. Remember though, everyone is different, so if your child has a smaller mouth you may want to downsize.- Ages two years old and under – You can use an infant finger brush, or a small, soft bristle toothbrush.
- Over the age of two – Find a toothbrush with a small-headed, soft-bristled brush on a large handle. Around this age, children will want to begin brushing their own teeth. The larger handle will allow them to handle their toothbrush, while at the same time, the small head of the toothbrush will help to ensure they don’t cause too much discomfort.
- Kids eight years old and older – At around this age, they can start using regular size toothbrushes, similar to an adult toothbrush. However, it is important you continue to purchase soft-bristled toothbrushes. If the adult-sized toothbrushes are causing too much discomfort, opt for a smaller brush head until they are ready.