As a parent, you may be wondering what kind of toothbrush you need for your child to have optimal dental care. While they will eventually lose all of their baby teeth, now is the time to buy them the right toothbrush so that they can be taught how to take care of their teeth. Depending on your child’s age, different toothbrushes work better than others.
Their First Toothbrush
Oral hygiene should begin while your child is still an infant. Before teething begins, dampen a soft cloth with water to clean your child’s gums. When a brush is needed, do not begin with an adult brush. Rather use a finger slip brush. A finger slip brush simply slips over your index finger and you can then brush your infant’s teeth and gums gently. This will remove sugar or milk build-up as well as bacteria which can accumulate on your infant’s gums. Until a child is two years old, a rice-sized amount of toothpaste is all that will be needed.
A Young Child’s Toothbrush
Once your child is a few years old you can look for a child-sized toothbrush. This brush will work like a brush for older kids or adults except it will be much smaller and fit your child’s hands easier. A brush with soft bristles will still clean your child’s teeth but will still be gentle on their gums. Make sure to watch as they are brushing their teeth to ensure it is being done correctly, aiding them as needed. Through your child’s fifth year, only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste will be needed to clean their teeth.
A Toothbrush For The Older Child
As your child continues to age, they will eventually need an adult toothbrush or an electric toothbrush. Over time your child might need some additional motivation to continue to take care of their teeth. This is when an electric brush can be helpful. You can also let them have more of a role in choosing and customizing their own toothbrush.
Electric toothbrushes can have themes and or sound effects of superheroes like Batman, a princess like Rapunzel from the movie Tangled, or various animals. Whichever option you use for your child, try to make their teeth brushing as good of an experience possible for them as you can to ensure that they will continue to take care of their teeth one day their own. Additional ways to help motivate your child to brush their teeth would be to let them choose their own toothbrush, buy a plain brush and let them personalize it with stickers of what they like, or let them paint the handle with non-toxic paints. Just make sure that the paint dries before the brush is used.
If you want to know more information about your child’s toothbrush options, you can learn more here. Additionally, if you need any other dental information or would like to schedule an appointment for your child, contact the dental experts at Kidz And Family Dental Center today!