How Do I Choose the Best Kid's Electric Toothbrush?

Good tooth brushing habits should begin as soon as children are able to brush on their own. Sometimes, children fight against brushing their teeth, don't brush long enough, or aren't able to brush adequately. An electric toothbrush can be more effective than a standard manual toothbrush for cleaning teeth, ensuring that the child's teeth are brushed properly. In order to choose the best kid's electric toothbrush, be sure to consider whether any toothbrush you consider is age appropriate. Other factors to consider include the type of electric toothbrush, the style, its size and cost.

Electric toothbrushes come in special models especially for children. They are sized to fit properly in a child's mouth and have handles that are just the right size for a kid to grasp, hold, and use. Kid's toothbrushes come in different sizes for different age groups since a preschooler won't use the same size toothbrush that a teenager would. Read packaging labels carefully to make sure to pick a toothbrush that is appropriate for the child's age and switch to the next size when necessary.

Another decision to make when buying a kid's electric toothbrush is whether you want an ordinary electric toothbrush or a sonic toothbrush. The main difference between the two is that the sonic brushes move rapidly than a regular electric toothbrush. Sonic toothbrushes are also generally more expensive than standard electric ones.

Most electric toothbrushes are battery powered. Some are rechargeable, with their own charging station, while others use ordinary batteries that can be replaced as needed. The charging station for a rechargeable toothbrush must be plugged into an electrical outlet to charge the toothbrush. This may be a consideration if there is no convenient electrical outlet available, if there isn't enough counter space for the unit, or if you believe there is a potential safety hazard. If that's the case, then a battery operated kid's electric toothbrush may be a better choice.

Toothbrushes are available in a wide array of colors and styles. Many have character designs, like cartoon characters or superheroes, on the handle. Some styles of kid's electric toothbrush play music while others have a timer to let kids know when they have brushed for the required two minutes. These added features are meant to help kids enjoy brushing their teeth.

When shopping for toothbrushes, check the packaging for the American Dental Association (ADA) seal. This seal means that the ADA has reviewed the specific make and model of toothbrush and that they find it both effective and safe to use. A kid's electric toothbrush that does not have the ADA symbol on the package has not been reviewed by the ADA.