A good toothbrush is an important tool for good oral health, so it is important to make a wise decision for your child.
A good toothbrush is an important asset for maintaining a healthy and sparkling set of teeth. Toothbrushes come in various shapes and sizes. Because there are such a wide variety of options to chose from, it may be difficult to choose the right one. In this post, our St. Louis pediatric dentist offers tips on buying a toothbrush for your child.
Soft and Rounded Bristles
Toothbrushes have bristles of all sizes and shapes. Dentists typically recommend toothbrushes which have soft, rounded bristles. Soft bristles clean the teeth properly without damaging sensitive gums. Burs or hard rubber bristle liners do not possess any extra cleaning properties and can actually do damage to your gums. So when you buy a toothbrush for your child try to find a toothbrush with soft and rounded bristles.
Accurate Size
The toothbrush head should be small enough to fit in the child’s mouth and to clean all the spots, including those which are difficult to reach. It should fit easily between the child’s cheek and back molars. You can select a toothbrush which is specially designed for children or for your child’s age group.
The shape of the Handle
Toothbrushes with different types of handles are available in the market. Some of them have straight handles, angled handles, curved handles, and vibrating handles. Do not choose a toothbrush on the basis of its shape. Select the one which is most comfortable.
When you are buying a toothbrush for your child see whether the handle is big enough and comfortable for him to hold and brush for a couple minutes. The child may not be able to grasp and brush effectively if the size of the handle is not suitable for him. Try to get a toothbrush which has a rubber grip. Children usually find these easier to hold.
When to Buy a New One
The lifespan of a toothbrush may be shortened due to the wearing out of the bristles. Worn out bristles look frayed and shapeless. They do not clean their teeth properly. This usually happens after around 3 months of use. You should purchase a new toothbrush and discard the old one around this time.
If your child falls sick, has the flu or a cold you should replace the old toothbrush with a new one once he recovers. Bacteria can settle on the bristles and the handle of the toothbrush. The sickness may be prolonged or may recur due to this.