The reason to choose one electric toothbrush for children It is not only linked to oral hygiene (which is instead fundamental for adults). In fact, any parent who has to deal with bedtime knows how unnerving this moment can be, both for the older ones and the younger ones. Or at least that’s what happens in my house.
Convince a 5 year old child going to bed after brushing your teeth is a real challenge and can test even the most zen parents who are fond of gentle discipline: the time dedicated to toothbrushing and toothpaste is unnerving, tiring and unpleasant (for everyone).
And so we move from flavoured toothpastes to coloured ones, up to the desperate search for a correct pedagogical method thanks also to the support of books specifically for the age (and here I feel like recommending *Even monsters brush their teeth!*). Was all of this successful? Partly, but nothing made the evening routine more relaxing.
Until, in yet another desperate attempt, I threw myself into buying one electric toothbrush for children specially designed to treat, in the right way, the teeth and gums of the little ones. A winning choice also supported by dentists.
Go to: From what age should children use an electric toothbrush? | Why choose an electric toothbrush even for children? | What is the right dental routine for children? | First visit to the dentist: at what age is it best to do it? | Sonic or Classic: What Are the Differences Between the Technologies? | The best electric toothbrushes for children
From what age should children use an electric toothbrush?
«Children can start using an electric toothbrush already at the age of three. At this age, in fact, they have generally developed sufficient coordination and motor skills to hold and use an electric toothbrush under the supervision of an adult” as explained by Doctor Christophe Lequartdental surgeon and spokesperson for the UFSBD – Union Française pour la Santé Bucco-Dentist.
“A preferable choice since electric toothbrushes, in addition to being more effective in removing plaque, can help the little ones to reach all areas of the mouth, since sometimes manual dexterity is not fully acquired. In addition, cleaning is definitely easier: just place the toothbrush on each tooth and let the tool do the work.”
Not to be underestimated, then, is the part playful of the thing. In fact, using an electric toothbrush can make brushing your teeth more fun, thanks to the colors and customizations, encouraging the little ones to adopt good oral hygiene habits from an early age.
Why choose an electric toothbrush even for children?
Using an electric toothbrush from an early age, as Dr. Lequart explains, has several significant advantages:
- brushing effectiveness in removing plaque and preventing tooth decay and gum inflammation;
- improve hygiene habits motivating the little ones to have a good dental routine;
- Many electric toothbrushes have built-in timers that let you know when the Recommended brushing time of two minutesthus accustoming the little ones;
- make it easier to practice a correct brushing techniquereducing the chances of applying too much force and damaging your gums or tooth enamel;
- Thanks to more effective cleaning and a brushing time of up to the recommended 2 minutes, electric toothbrushes can help reduce the risk of tooth decay and other dental problems.
What is the right dental routine for children?
A good dental routine starts from birth. In fact, from the first months of life it is important to clean the baby’s gums with a soft towel or wet gauze after each meal or feeding. As time goes by, around the 6 months and when the first teeth appear, it is better to start using one ad hoc toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head and set up a daily routine where you brush your teeth twice a day with a trace of toothpaste with 1000 ppm fluoride.
“For children 3 years and older, an electric or manual toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head is the right choice. The toothpaste to be used can still be the same, but increasing the quantity to the size of a pea.”
First visit to the dentist: at what age is it best to do it?
Starting a dental treatment program can be very scary for the little ones. That’s why it’s a good idea to start setting up a routine right from the start. «It is advisable to schedule the first visit to the dentist starting from the age of 1 year, or within 6 months of the appearance of the first teeth. This will allow us to make an initial assessment where we can monitor bone growth and tooth development, identify potential problems and recommend preventative treatments such as the application of fluoride varnishes in cases at high risk of tooth decay.”
But there is also a psychological and habitual component for both parents and children. In fact, as Dr. Lequart explains, the first visit is an opportunity for the dentist to provide parents with advice on good oral hygiene practices, including food hygiene, toothbrushing and flossing. Getting children used to visiting the dentist from an early age, on the other hand, helps reduce anxiety related to future visits, establishing a positive routine and a doctor-patient relationship of trust.
Sonic or Classic: What Are the Differences Between the Technologies?
It’s easy to talk about electric toothbrushes, but not everyone knows that today on the market you can find different versions of this tool. In fact, in addition to the classic version – that is, the rotating oscillator – today it is also possible to opt for the sonic ones. But what are the differences? To explain it to us is Martin Thiebaut, co-founder of MyVariations.
«With sonic technology, in fact, the (soft) bristles of the toothbrush vibrate and generate between 31,000 and 40,000 vertical micro-movements per minute, depending on the brushing mode selected. A technology that makes brushing more comfortable and less aggressive and, at the same time, sees gum bleeding reduced or disappear after 3-6 months of use, all without sacrificing effectiveness».
As for classic toothbrushes, usually also equipped with timers and alerts regarding the various brushing areas, they base the cleaning of the teeth on the oscillation of the head. The movement of rotation and oscillationthen allows you to clean both the surface and the interdental space extremely effectively.
The best electric toothbrushes for children
Colorful, fun, customizable and, above all, essential to accustom the little ones to a good oral routine: electric toothbrushes for the little ones range from a thousand models and styles, as well as differentiating by technology. From the sonic ones of My Variationscolored and with stickers, up to models for the older ones like those of Oral Bmoving on to those dedicated to Spiderman, Frozen and more, up to the models with LED lights and music.
With sonic technology
With a simple appearance, and therefore also suitable for adults, this toothbrush uses sonic technology that reproduces the correct vertical brushing movement, but extremely quickly. With an alarm every 30 seconds to know when to change sides, it has a built-in 2-minute timer for the correct cleaning time. In addition to its small size, perfect for the little ones, there is no shortage of stickers to customize the toothbrush to your liking.
From 6 years old
.png)
As children grow, their habits also change. And for this reason it is good to move from superhero-themed options to colorful and fun models. Equipped with a round head to remove plaque, it also has extra-soft bristles to be gentle on teeth and gums. The battery lasts up to 10 days, so it is suitable to be packed in your suitcase even for a quick vacation.
With stickers
.png)
Stickers have a unique appeal to children and, for this reason, they are a good vehicle to improve their oral hygiene routine. With Sonicare technology and Gentle and Extra Gentle settings, inside the box of the special edition Design a Pet there are a series of reusable stickers to allow the child to transform their toothbrush into an animal character. In addition, there is the travel case to maintain good habits even on vacation.
With LED lights
.png)
This sonic model, in addition to ensuring a deep cleaning of the mouth, is equipped with a soft and colorful LED light that makes brushing fun. Here the protagonist is a cute giraffe, combined with special mini heads for children’s mouths. Battery powered, it has a 2-minute intelligent timer and every 30 seconds reminds you to change the brushing area.
Spiderman themed
.png)
Comic and cartoon characters can be a vehicle and a support to encourage children to brush their teeth. Here Spiderman decorates the head and also colors the shaft of the toothbrush. In the lower part, then, each child can choose from a series of stickers dedicated to Spiderman to better customize the tool. Here too there are two brushing modes, one more delicate and the other less, and the 2-minute timer for a correct cleaning time.
For space lovers
.png)
All children, at least once in their lives, have dreamed of reaching space and landing on the moon. For true space enthusiasts, this is the sonic electric toothbrush to buy. Here, in addition to colors and drawings, there is also a kit of “reward” stickers to teach a dental routine day by day.
With connected app
.png)
Kids today are increasingly tech-savvy, and so are the toothbrushes they choose to use. This sonic model can be connected to the Philips Sonicare For Kids app, which allows kids to learn through play and following the instructions of Sparkly, the cute purple animal. Two different brush heads are included in the box: one for kids ages 3 to 6, and the other for ages 7 and up.
Source: Vanity Fair
I’m Susan Karen, a professional writer and editor at World Stock Market. I specialize in Entertainment news, writing stories that keep readers informed on all the latest developments in the industry. With over five years of experience in creating engaging content and copywriting for various media outlets, I have grown to become an invaluable asset to any team.
