Children need to learn good oral hygiene habits at an early age. Studies have shown that the earlier they set a brushing and flossing routine, the better their chances of carrying those good habits throughout their lifetimes.
One question we often get from parents is about toothbrushes. Which kids’ toothbrushes are best for the debate of electric vs. manual toothbrushes? Let the Centers for Pediatric Dental Health unravel the mystery surrounding your child’s oral hygiene.
Why Choosing the Right Toothbrush Is Important
Does it matter which toothbrush your child uses? The goal is for them just to use ANY toothbrush, correct?
This is true, but the right toothbrush can make brushing easier for your child. Easier means less frustrating, which usually equals more participation. If brushing is difficult for your child, they may neglect to do it correctly or at all.
The consequences of skipping brushing can be pretty harsh. Without proper brushing and flossing, your child could develop tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can become painful. While you may think it’s OK for a baby tooth to have a cavity, the truth is that primary teeth (also called milk teeth) serve several purposes.
Baby teeth allow your child to chew properly, something they are just learning to do. Without baby teeth, they may have difficulty transitioning to solid foods and chewing them properly. This could lead to digestive problems and vitamin deficiencies at a critical point in their development.
Baby teeth also allow for proper speech. Missing or damaged teeth could cause your child to have trouble speaking certain sounds or to develop a lisp. Baby teeth also serve as placeholders for the permanent teeth that will soon erupt. Without baby teeth, your child could develop dental problems that need to be corrected later with orthodontic treatment.
It’s vital your child takes care of their teeth at any age, but especially when they are first getting their teeth and learning to use them properly.
Electric Toothbrush vs. Manual Toothbrush for Kids
So, what’s the best toothbrush for kids? Is your child ready for an electric toothbrush, or is manual best to start? Does one type of toothbrush clean better than the other?
Here are a few things to consider when choosing the best toothbrush for children.
Manual Toothbrush for Kids Pros and Cons
The manual toothbrush is a tried-and-true method of cleaning teeth. For years, dentists have recommended and even given out manual toothbrushes. But is a manual toothbrush best for your child?
Pros of Manual Toothbrushes
- A manual toothbrush is simple to use.
- You never have to worry about batteries or recharging.
- Manual toothbrushes don’t have vibrations that may be uncomfortable for small children.
- Manual toothbrushes may be more comfortable to hold compared to an electric toothbrush.
- Some manual toothbrushes have special heads or bristle styles to better clean small teeth.
- Some manual toothbrushes have colored bristles that fade, indicating it’s time to change toothbrushes.
As you can tell, there are many pros to using a manual toothbrush for kids. However, there are a few cons to consider.
Cons of Manual Toothbrushes
- May not clean as well as vibrating/rotating bristles of electric toothbrushes
- Have to replace the entire toothbrush every 2-3 months
- Non-moving bristles may be easier for small children to chew on the bristles while trying to brush
- May not be as decorative, dynamic or “fun” as an electric toothbrush
While these are “cons” to using a manual toothbrush, the truth is that a manual toothbrush will work just fine if that’s what your child prefers. Some kids don’t care for the vibration of electric toothbrushes. If that’s the case for your child, rest assured that a manual toothbrush will work just fine to keep your child’s teeth and gums clean and healthy.
Electric Toothbrush for Kids Pros and Cons
Electric toothbrushes have become popular over the years for many reasons. They have features that are lacking in manual toothbrushes. The kids’ versions are often decorated with popular cartoon characters, from Disney princesses to SpongeBob Squarepants.
But are electric toothbrushes better for your child? Let’s look at the pros and cons.
Pros of an Electric Toothbrush
- Vibrating and/or rotating bristles may scrub better than your child would alone.
- Specially designed bristles may have better reach between and around teeth.
- Colorful styles and decorations may be more interesting to children, encouraging them to use them more.
- Colored bristles fade to remind children to change out the toothbrush head.
- Only the head needs replacing, so the child doesn’t have to give up their “favorite” toothbrush in three months.
- Timers are built into the toothbrush to train the child to brush for two minutes in total.
- Multiple brush heads or modes can clean primary teeth vs. permanent teeth or teeth with braces.
- Vibration and/or rotation means less effort for better cleaning on the child’s part.
As you can see, electronic toothbrushes have many pros. They tend to clean slightly better than a manual toothbrush and offer many special features. But there are a few cons to consider.
Cons of Electric Toothbrushes
- Some children, especially small children, may find the vibration uncomfortable.
- A vibrating toothbrush may be harder for small hands to hold or control.
- You must keep the toothbrush recharged or the batteries fresh. Low power can reduce the toothbrush’s cleaning capabilities.
- Electric toothbrushes tend to be more expensive.
- Toothbrush heads may be more expensive to replace than a manual toothbrush.
There are only a few cons to consider with an electric toothbrush, as with a manual one.
Better Brushing in Sicklerville, NJ
No matter which toothbrush you choose, the bottom line is that any tooth brushing is good for your child. Let your child choose their toothbrush, and they might be more inclined to use it often. The key is to ensure they brush at least twice a day for two minutes at a time and floss first at least once daily.
Schedule an appointment with the Centers for Pediatric Dental Health in Sicklerville, NJ, Mount Laurel, NJ, or Woolrich Township, NJ. We’ll be happy to work with you and your child to teach them great brushing habits they can use for a lifetime!
