Electric toothbrushes can be a great way to brush and a good way to get some children to brush too. So, should you use a manual or electric? What about for your kid’s teeth?
There are good reasons to pick both. One of the best features of the electric toothbrush is the two-minute timer that most of them have built in. This lets you know that you have been brushing for the correct amount of time to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. It surprises people how long two minutes can actually take to do a task like brushing your teeth. Most people would stop much shorter than two minutes without a timer. Just like a regular toothbrush, the heads need to be kept clean and replaced about every three months. Some people prefer to use their electric toothbrush once a day and a manual toothbrush for their second brushing, which is a great practice.
It is important to note that an electric toothbrush does not insure that you are brushing ‘better’ than if you were simply to use a manual one. In fact, with smaller children it may be better to use a manual toothbrush because you can get to every tooth a bit better with smaller brushes and the vibration can be overstimulating. We recommend that you brush your child’s teeth for them until they are about 7 years old. If they like the idea of an electric toothbrush, which a lot of children do, feel free to get them one and let them use it. We just recommend truly sonic toothbrushes as the battery operated ones tend to not spin fast enough to do any better than a manual brush and are often bulky and difficult to fit in the mouth. We like the idea of using things like this that kids may become excited about to promote good oral health behaviors. However, you will want to continue to play a role in their brushing routine and supervise the outcome of their brushing even with an electric toothbrush.
While we are advocates for any type of toothbrush that is used effectively, some studies have found that electric toothbrushes may do a better job reducing dental plaque. This may be because of the rotating and oscillating heads on the brushes. Too much pressure applied with either a manual or electric toothbrush can abrade enamel, so be sure to apply a light pressure when you are brushing, no matter what type of brush you are using.
If you have any other questions or concerns regarding the pros and cons of the electric toothbrush and whether it is the right thing for your child, please feel free to have a conversation with us and we can help determine if there is a need for improved oral hygiene and if the electric toothbrush options are the best solution for you and your child.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
