Ensuring your child is cavity-free involves more than just the right toothbrush. While the toothbrush matters, it’s important to note that incorrect brushing can still be damaging even if you bought the correct one. A lot of people don’t realize how easy it is to misuse a toothbrush; there are even individuals whose bristles are bent and crooked, providing them with nothing more than something to chew on rather than brush with – not ideal for cavity prevention! To provide your kid with the best chance of staying healthy in the long-term, let us first look at selecting an appropriate brush before discussing further instructions on oral care.
The right toothbrush for your Kids
In the oral care aisle of any store, you will find a variety of sizes, colors, modalities, cartoon characters, and brands that all promise the same thing. Here are some helpful tips.
Select a toothbrush with soft, extra soft, or ultra soft bristles if you have sensitive teeth.
A colorful, flashy, character toothbrush may motivate kids to brush more effectively and make oral care more enjoyable.
Look for the age range recommendation on the package. This range is based on the typical size of children in a particular age group. When brush training time comes around, they will need to consider their mouth size, teeth size, hand size, and their ability to grasp and hold a toothbrush.
Make sure you don’t buy the cheapest toothbrush unless you have to. It’s usually cheaper because it’s of lower quality.
Choosing a HARD or MEDIUM firm toothbrush will cause tooth wear over time. Always pick a SOFT toothbrush. Double-check and make sure the bristles are soft.
If you can find a good toothbrush in bulk packaging or if your favorite toothbrush is on sale, stock up. You are more likely to change your toothbrush every three months when you already have one.
You can increase your kid’s oral health with a kids electric toothbrush, but it must be the right choice. Some children struggle to adapt to the vibrations, while others love them. Always supervise your child when using an electric toothbrush. Never leave your child alone with an electric toothbrush.
The ADA seal isn’t always a reliable indicator of quality. Many people mistakenly assume that if the ADA tested every oral care product, it’d be a great signifier to look for when purchasing. However, in reality, companies only pay the ADA to assess their products – they don’t actually test everything available. That’s why you might be surprised to find that even generic CVS-brand toothbrushes have the ADA seal – it’s effectively just used as a marketing tool by companies. So don’t fall for it! Personally, there are some electric toothbrushes I love which don’t even have such an endorsement.
Instructions for oral care
Most people need to work on how long they brush their teeth. This is an easy task and can often be put into autopilot mode, especially for kids. I’ve firsthand observed my children stick the brush in their mouths, simply swirl it a little bit and then move on without even brushing. It was as if they were merely tasting toothpaste. I understand how this can happen, which is why I personally monitor brushing in my household.
Before starting, wash your hands with warm soapy water. This prevents cross-contamination.
To soften and clean the bristles of the toothbrush, wet the bristles with warm or hot water.
Brush the bristles with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, similar to a grain of rice, for toddlers and young children.
Brush the back of the mouth first because it’s often missed.
Brush the gum line at an angle with the brush head in the mouth.
Make small strokes instead of long sweeping ones.
Brush 1-2 teeth at a time, making sure every surface is reached.
It should take at least two minutes to brush the whole mouth in this manner; three minutes is even better.
Floss between every tooth, even those that don’t touch, such as the backside of the last molar.
Ideally, brush twice a day, in the morning before breakfast and before bedtime. If bedtime is difficult for you, brush after your last meal of the day, but at least 45 minutes after.
Crown® is here to make oral care easy and fun with the best toothbrush for kids, specifically designed for babies and children. Our patented round brush head removes plaque on teeth, while simultaneously cleaning and eliminating bacteria from cheeks, gums, teeth, and tongue. From manual to our kids vibrating toothbrush – Crown’s bristles provide a superior clean. Don’t hesitate – get your kids automatic toothbrush today!