36% of people fear the dentist in some form. The key to stopping this common fear from affecting your toddler later in life is to build a strong dental care foundation right away.
The first place to start is by finding the best toothbrush for toddlers. Without the right tools, you can’t be certain your baby is getting the right oral care they need.
We’ve collected all of the vital qualities you must look for in a toddler’s toothbrush. Keep reading to ensure your child always has a healthy smile!
ADA Approved
Before you buy anything, you need to search for the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance on the packaging. This means that the toothbrush has passed through rigorous testing and is an approved product by dentists around the country.
This should be a non-negotiable part of your search for a perfect toothbrush. While other types of toothbrushes might do the job, why take a chance on something as important as your baby’s dental health?
Soft Bristles
Since your toddler is in the process of growing, their teeth need a gentler type of toothbrush to compensate. A good kid’s toothbrush has soft bristles that won’t chafe or scratch at the developing enamel. This could lead to premature damage.
This protects your baby’s teeth while also ensuring that the brushing process doesn’t hurt. Bristles that are too stiff can hurt, which leads to extra anxiety when it comes to all things dental.
If you’re worried that the toothbrush isn’t cleaning your child’s teeth enough, don’t switch to something stiffer. Instead, brush for longer to make sure you’re getting every nook and cranny.
Small Head
Since a toddler’s mouth is so small, they need a toothbrush head to match. This is why it’s never a good idea to buy a regular-sized toothbrush for a baby.
The head of the toothbrush makes it difficult to move the brush against the teeth. Instead of getting a thorough clean, spots go untouched.
It also can be an uncomfortable thing to have something so unwieldy in the mouth. Your toddler will be much happier with a toothbrush that matches them in size.
Easy-to-Grip Handle
There’s nothing quite as frustrating as not being able to maneuver something with your hands. The same goes for a kid’s toothbrush. If the handle is too thin to grasp and brush with, your child will start to reject this ritual.
It’s difficult to develop good habits if your baby feels frustrated the entire time.
When choosing a toothbrush, go for anything that has a large handle. Something with a grip around the handle is a bonus since it ensures the toothbrush will never slip from your baby’s grasp.
There are many shapes and sizes of handles to choose from, with some even multi-tasking as teething toys!
Gum Brush
It’s not easy to make sure your baby’s gums are getting the treatment they need. It’s a tricky space and you can’t be too rough or else you’ll injure them. At the same time, you don’t want to go to your local dentist and tell them that you’ve been neglecting your toddler’s gums.
To make sure you’re achieving the best toddler oral care, invest in a gum brush.
These brushes have thick bristles that are made of silicon which stimulates the gums without scratching them. The good news is that this often feels enjoyable for your toddler, much like a teething toy. While feeling like a toy that they’re used to, they’re cleaning their teeth and gums at the same time.
it’s a win-win situation for everyone.
Multiple Sides
Depending on the hand dexterity of your child, brushing all of the teeth thoroughly can be impossible until they’ve grown a little older. It’s not an easy task for little hands to maneuver the brush to get to those hard-to-reach places.
A multi-sided toothbrush makes dental hygiene for toddlers much easier. It helps get to those tricky places without relying on agile hand movements.
It also has the benefit of making the task go by quicker since more surface area gets cleaned in one swipe.
Timed Lights
Do you know if your child is brushing long enough to get a proper cleaning? Do you have to keep encouraging them to continue?
A nifty tactic is to get a toothbrush that uses lights to signal how long a child should keep brushing.
It won’t take long for your toddler to learn that they need to keep going until the lights say to stop. This makes the entire process more interesting and fun.
Some toothbrushes even have multiple settings so that you can adjust them to your toddler’s needs. Some play peppy music and can evoke the same feeling as playing musical chairs.
Make Brushing Time Fun
Kids will be more likely to enjoy their time brushing their teeth if it feels like fun the whole time. Whenever possible, get a toothbrush that features their current favorite character. Try a brush that is vibrant and has a lot of their favorite colors or hobbies printed on the plastic.
This not only makes the toothbrush feel more like theirs, but it also can make the entire process exciting because they look forward to using it again.
Gamifying the process is another excellent way to get your child involved and interested in developing the habit. There are even apps on the market that help you bring an extra thrill to the ritual.
Eventually, your child won’t need these aids, but why not have a playful time while you can?
Get Help Finding the Best Toothbrush for Toddlers
If you’re still uncertain you’re choosing the best toothbrush for toddlers, contact your local pediatric dentist for a guiding hand.
Beaumont Kids Dentistry embraces the fun in life and works hard to make sure patients have a good time during treatment. Our love for bright colors and Dr. Seuss’s characters make every visit feel like an adventure.
Let us help you and your toddler get the most out of a thorough dental care routine by checking out our services today!