Should I Get My Child a Manual Toothbrush or an Electric Toothbrush?

Whether or not parents should get their child a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush is a common question and there are several reasons why.

A common problem with children brushing their teeth is they don’t spend enough time actually brushing; or they may be brushing, but not getting all the areas properly. Another challenge with children and teeth brushing is they can do it too aggressively, which can cause damage to their gum tissue — leading to gum recession or loss.

What are the advantages of an electric toothbrush?

• One of the advantages of electric toothbrushes is that they have a built-in timer. The ideal amount of time to brush our teeth is 3 minutes, which for children can feel like forever. Some toothbrushes are even programmed to beep every 20-30 seconds to remind us to move the brush from one side of the mouth to the other.  

• Newer toothbrush models turn off when too much pressure is applied while brushing, reducing the risk of gum damage. 

• Electric toothbrush bristles move in an ideal manner — a circular or up and down motion where the bristles are perpendicular to the teeth and gums which is effective for removing plaque. This motion tends to be less abrasive, leading to less gum recession. 

Types of electric toothbrushes

There are a lot of electric toothbrushes available in the market which can be overwhelming. This is what you should be looking for when purchasing:

• Long battery life/rechargeable

• Soft bristles

• Timer

• Built-in pressure sensor

• Brush head and size compatible with child’s teeth

Some of the better quality toothbrushes like the Oral B 3D Braun and the SoniCare toothbrushes are more expensive, but their effectiveness has been clinically verified, and as is true for many things, you get what you pay for. 

High quality electric toothbrushes have many features that make brushing a lot easier and more effective for children, but supervision by parents is still important to ensure that children have good oral health. 

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