In the Know for You to Know

As parents we always want the best for our children and will explore all options available to us.

A question we have been receiving a lot recently from parents is about the type of toothbrush their child should be using. Specifically whether to use a regular toothbrush (manual brush) or an electric toothbrush.

What Are The Benefits Of A Manual Toothbrush?

Manual toothbrushes come in lots of sizes, shapes, and colors. There are many varieties that have children’s favorite characters on them. They are light weight, easy to hold, and don’t need to be plugged into an electrical outlet or have batteries changed.

What Are The Benefits Of An Electric Toothbrush?

Electric toothbrushes take the work out of brushing. The brush’s bristles move in a circular motion, mimicking what you and your child would need to do with a manual brush. Some brushes already have the bristles angled (45 degrees) to the gum line for effective tooth and gum cleaning.

Many electric toothbrushes come in children’s favorite characters and colors. These brushes encourage your child to brush for the correct amount of time (2Minutes 2X’s A Day) because they come with a built-in timer. Some timers play music, some flashing lights, some talk, some make buzzing sounds, some simply stop.

How Do I Choose The Right Toothbrush For My Child?

Here are some helpful tips when looking for your child’s toothbrush —

1. Select a child-size toothbrush (or electric toothbrush handle) for easier holding, use and comfort,

2. Choose a child-size head on a child-size manual or electric toothbrush,

3. Select a toothbrush or toothbrush head with soft bristles,

4. Include your child in the decision, the more involved your child is in selecting their toothbrush the more willing they are to (or allow you to) use the brush.

Children should have their teeth brushed for them until they have the motor skills and dexterity they need. A good rule to judge this is when your child can fully bathe or shower on their own as well as wash, dry and style their hair all on their own.

Taking Care Of My Child’s Toothbrush

Taking care of your child’s (and your) toothbrush is always important; whether you choose a manual brush or an electric toothbrush. Always rinse the toothbrush head after each and every use with water.

Check the brush’s bristles for wear and change their toothbrush or toothbrush head (if electric) every 3 months. If anyone has been ill, change their brush (or brush head) after their illness.

Remember what’s most important is for you to feel comfortable and confident taking care of your child’s oral health.

Let us know which brush you prefer — Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com or Message us, Like us, and Send us a Comment on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!

In the Know for You to Know

Back to school means there is a lot of learning going on right now! We thought we would add a lesson in ourselves.

Today we’re going over the proper tooth brushing technique. So grab your tooth brushes, and put our knowledge into action.

Why Is It Important To Brush?

Tooth brushing is the best way to remove plaque from your child’s teeth and gums to help prevent cavities. Remember it’s 2Minutes 2X’s A Day.

What is Dental Plaque?

Dental plaque is the sticky stuff that adheres to teeth and forms after eating and drinking every day. The less often you brush the more it accumulates. The more it grows on teeth the higher the risk of cavities.

Steps For Brushing Your Way To Healthy Teeth

Step 1. For a gentle and through tooth brush cleaning always use a small head soft bristle tooth brush,

Step 2. Starting on the Outside of your child’s Front Teeth – Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gum line and move around the tooth in little circles,

Step 3. Keep going around as you move towards the Outside of the Back Teeth and keep the brush going in the same way,

Step 4. Now turn the brush onto the Inside of the Back Teeth and keep going along in circles as you come up to the Front Teeth,

Step 5. When you come to the Inside of the Top and Bottom Front Teeth turn your brush vertically and keep brushing in circles up and down the tooth,

Step 6. Now it’s onto those Chewing Surfaces where you’ll hold the brush flat and brush in a gentle back and forth motion, and don’t forget

Step 7. Gently brush their tongue to remove food particles and freshen breath.

How Much Toothpaste Should I Put On My Child’s Tooth Brush?

It doesn’t take that much toothpaste to brush their whole mouth and tongue.

Your child is younger than 3 years old use a rice-grain size (think teeny tiny dab) of toothpaste.

If your child is 3 years old to 6 years old use a small pea size amount of toothpaste.

When your child is over 6 years old you can still use a small pea size amount of toothpaste and really don’t need much more than a regular pea size amount of paste as they get older (yes even for tweens and teens).

How Often Do I Need To Change Our Tooth Brushes?

2 good rules to follow is every 3 to 4 months because the tooth brush bristles start to wear out and fray so they become less effective for brushing, or if your child has been sick.

Tooth Brushing Can Be Fun

Playing your child’s favorite music during tooth brushing time helps make the time fly by.

Tell us about your tooth brushing routine or favorite tunes you like to play.

Send us an email at kidstoothhotline@protonmail.com or Message us and Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/kidstoothhotline

More tips? We have lots. We’re here just for kids!