Both manual and electric toothbrushes are great for taking care of your child’s dental health. However, children’s dentists have noted that if young kids are having a tough time fully cleaning their teeth, an electric brush is more beneficial. If you are unsure which type of brush you should choose, follow the tips below and consult with your dentist about your child’s specific needs.

3 Tips for Choosing an Electric Toothbrush for Your Child

1. Look for a Child-Sized Head

Before purchasing an electric toothbrush, most children’s dentists note that the head should be small enough to comfortably fit inside their mouth and reach their back teeth. The Crest® Spinbrush and Oral B® Triumph are typically only for adults as the heads are both too wide and too tall for a child’s mouth. Also, it is possible to be too young for an electric brush. If your child still tries to bite on the head while brushing, you might want to wait a year or two before swapping.

2. Compare Bristles

Soft bristles are the general recommendation for parents and children alike, but some electric toothbrushes will have tougher choices. If you have young kids, children’s dentists suggest paying close attention to the bristles as they need some that will be very gentle on their gums.

3. Pay Attention to the Rotation

It’s not always possible to see how an electric toothbrush will spin while it is in the packaging, so it might be necessary to read some reviews before purchasing. The main point of an electric toothbrush is that the head spins and limits the work the user has to do. However, it has been reported that some brands like the Quip® Toothbrush tend to spend the body more than the head. You might not want to spend money on a product like this when you’re trying to improve your child’s brushing habits.

If you are still unsure if you should swap out your child’s manual brush for an electric one, consult with a children’s dentist before purchasing one. At Pedodontic Associates their pediatric dentists are committed to helping your kids maintain healthy smiles. They have three locations across Oahu and Maui. To schedule an appointment, call (808) 735-1733 for their Honolulu office; (808) 487-7933 for Aiea; and (808) 877-0066 or Kahului. Also, for more information about these doctors and their dental care services, you can visit their website and read some of the Yelp reviews.