Kids also lack the coordination of proper brushing, so an electric toothbrush can help them reach more areas of their mouth with less effort.Įven parents who brush their child’s teeth should keep this in mind: An electric toothbrush can get more done in less time, making the most of the few moments a child is receptive to brushing and actually allows the brush to remain in his mouth.Īt what age should you buy an electric toothbrush for a child?Ī child can start an electric toothbrush at age 2-without toothpaste, but WITH supervision, of course. Here’s the truth: Kids don’t NEED an electric toothbrush.īut if you want to establish good brushing habits, an electric toothbrush can help, because kids just aren’t great brushers.Ĭhildren don’t understand the importance of brushing, and they cannot visualize the whole area inside their mouth, let alone try to reach all of it. In fact, the time spent brushing, the quality of the brush stroke and toothbrush head, and the ability of the child to brush all areas of the teeth and gums are each just as important as toothpaste-if not more so. Why is that? In reality, toothpaste is only 10 percent of the equation when it comes to brushing teeth. I have found that toothpaste shortens the duration of brushing-and instead of trying to get kids to brush for 10-15 seconds with toothpaste, it’s much better to have them brush for 1-2 minutes without. Kids may not like the taste of toothpaste it may turn them off from the overall brushing experience and the truth is that kids are more likely to brush for a longer time if they are doing so with a “dry” brush. Hold off on introducing toothpaste: Kids won’t need toothpaste until they are at least 5 years old-before then, toothpaste can complicate everything. If your child is a mouth breather, keep the brushing experience positive and be prepared to introduce different aspects of brushing at a slower pace to ensure your child enjoys the process and actually wants to do it. (For the same reason, these children may also be more fearful at the dentist’s office). These kids may be less likely to enjoy brushing, as it can be hard to breathe and brush at the same time, and they may gag more easily. Pay attention to the way a child breathes: Some children are mouth breathers, meaning they breathe primarily through their mouth, rather than their nose. If you can, I even recommend tap dancing while you brush and floss! Make it look like fun, and kids will want to be part of it. I tell my patients to go around the house flossing, brushing, and smiling. Even before a parent sticks a toothbrush in a kid’s mouth, that child should see his mom or dad exhibiting good brushing habits, especially if the parent decides to introduce an electric toothbrush. Kids look to their parents for guidance: Show your child what you do, and he will want to mimic it. Keeping these things in mind as you introduce a toothbrush-whether manual or electric-can make the process smoother and make your child love brushing. As a result, anything that goes into a child’s mouth is likely to be more uncomfortable than for an adult. Kids have more sensitive gag reflexes than adults that are designed to protect their smaller airways from obstruction. Kids can be frightened by an electric toothbrush: They buzz they make noise they can tickle or feel weird on gums and teeth. What to Know Before You Buy Your Child an Electric Toothbrush One of the questions I get asked most often is, should I get my child an electric toothbrush? The Best Electric Toothbrushes for Kids.What to Look for When Buying a Kids’ Electric Toothbrush.At what age should you buy an electric toothbrush for a child?.What to Know Before You Buy Your Child an Electric Toothbrush + −.
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