This is why a sonic toothbrush for a child is one of the best choices

Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease and it is assumed that one in five children will develop a tooth loss around the time they enter kindergarten. While a sonic toothbrush is not guaranteed to eliminate dental problems, experts say it may help some children achieve good brushing habits, which in itself will improve oral health in young children. However, how to choose a sonic toothbrush for a child?

What are sonic toothbrushes for children?

Sonic toothbrushes for children are very similar to their adult counterparts with some minor differences. The principle of operation is the same and is based on the sweeping movement (recommended by dentists). When brushing teeth, microbubbles are formed in the child’s mouth, which effectively reach all hard-to-reach areas, effectively washing them of bacteria.

The differences consist mainly in a much slower pace of work, because sonic brushes for children move at a speed of 16 to 000 vibrations per minute (however, it depends on the model dedicated to a child of a given age), and models for adults can work even twice as fast. This and no other speed range is a guarantee that the child will not be hurt while brushing the teeth. Sonic toothbrushes for children also differ in the size of the cleaning head. Brushes designed for children have correspondingly smaller teeth, which means that our children can maneuver them in the mouth without any problems without damaging the enamel or gums.

In addition, the models of sonic toothbrushes for children are of course colorful and decorated with various stickers with characters from their favorite fairy tales, and they also have the option of playing melodies while brushing their teeth. All this is to encourage the child to brush his teeth and make his time pleasant so that the toddler has only positive associations with oral hygiene. An example of such a brush is Smile MiniMini + with characters from popular fairy tales.

See also: How does oral hygiene affect our health and well-being?

When is it best to buy a sonic toothbrush for a child?

There are already many models on the market and there are many sonic brushes designed especially for babies, but some believe that it is better to wait with purchasing them until the child is 3 years old. The argument is that the child should first learn to use a manual toothbrush and develop proper oral hygiene habits.

We should also remember that at the beginning of a child’s life, when the milk teeth are just emerging, it is enough to wash the baby’s gums with a piece of gauze moistened with water. The aforementioned milk teeth appear in a child around the age of XNUMX months and only then can we buy a sonic toothbrush for the baby.

Regardless of whether your child uses a sonic, electric or manual toothbrush, the most important thing is to brush their teeth regularly twice a day. The child must learn from the parent how important oral care is. Parents must also watch over how the child is brushing the teeth until the toddler uses the toothbrush without any problems.

What to pay attention to when choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child?

When choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child, it is worth paying attention to several important parameters, which will determine whether the device will suit our child and fulfill its functions.

Choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child – speed of movements

One of the most important aspects when choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child, i.e. the speed of movements. The rule is that the younger the child, the slower the speed of movements should be, and the older the faster the faster (for children over 3 years of age, a sonic toothbrush should not make more than 16 vibrations per minute).

For children aged, for example, two years old, there are special sonic brushes whose movement is very gentle, thanks to which they gently and effectively clean the baby’s first teeth and massage the gums. As for those older children (over 3 years old), sonic toothbrushes may already run at higher speeds.

Choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child – a type of cleaning head

Just like the speed of movements, the cleaning head in a sonic toothbrush should also be adjusted to the age of the child. Fortunately, the packaging of sonic toothbrushes always contains information for which age range the heads for children are intended for. For children up to around 6-7 years of age, the smallest possible head size is recommended. The smaller size of the head better fits the smaller mouth of the child and thus allows thorough cleaning of all places in the mouth.

In the case of schoolchildren, they can now safely use standard sizes of cleaning heads as for adults. However, it is good for us to choose the size of the cleaning head according to the size of the child’s teeth and his needs. In addition to the dimensions, the hardness of the bristles of the brush head is also important. In the case of sonic toothbrushes for children, the fibers should be soft and delicate, and their ends should be rounded. This is very important because the tip constructed in this way effectively removes plaque and at the same time does not irritate the baby’s delicate gums.

Choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child – replaceable heads

One of the most important options for a sonic toothbrush for children is to have a replaceable tip. It is crucial for oral hygiene, because just like manual toothbrushes, the tips of sonic or electric toothbrushes should be replaced, preferably every 3 months. In the case of young children, it is even more important, especially if our child has caught an infection or the fibers of the tips have been damaged or bent, which can happen very often with children, due to the fact that children are just learning to brush their teeth. Remember that damaged bristles reduce the accuracy of brushing your teeth.

Choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child – operating modes

Some models of sonic toothbrushes may have one basic mode, but others may have several. Usually, there are two modes on the market: one with a lower intensity of vibrations, which is aimed at four-year-olds, and the other with a larger one, intended for older children. More than one mode is a great option that allows you to adjust the operation of the sonic toothbrush to the age and sensitivity of the child’s mouth. Several modes of operation may be especially important if we want to buy a sonic toothbrush for siblings of different ages.

An example of such a brush is Vitammy Smile 3+, which has two different types of vibrations that can be adjusted to the child’s preferences and age.

Choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child – power supply

An equally important aspect that is worth considering when choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child is the power supply of the device, which can be battery or rechargeable. If we want a child to use one device for a long time, the power supply should be rechargeable, due to the fact that in the long run, changing the battery every now and then is uncomfortable. Battery-powered sonic brushes, such as Vitammy Splash, work on a single charge for up to 15 days.

Choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child – a timer

A very useful convenience that cannot be found in all models of sonic toothbrushes for children. This is due to the fact that children usually brush their teeth far too short, the timer makes our child learn how long it should take to brush their teeth properly. Usually, sonic toothbrushes have a built-in two-minute timer that signals every 30 seconds to start cleaning the next part of the teeth. Thanks to the toothbrush, the child learns that every part of the mouth should be thoroughly cleaned, and in the long run, develops healthy habits related to daily oral hygiene.

See also: Do you brush your teeth often in a hurry? You can hurt yourself

Choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child – construction

The structure of the sonic toothbrush is no less important. It should be light enough and should not slip out of your hand while brushing your teeth. The handle of the brush should be contoured, so that the child will have no problems holding the brush in his hands. At the same time, the toddler or his birth will have no problem maneuvering the sonic toothbrush in the mouth.

Choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child – dedicated application

The most expensive sonic brushes for children also have the option of combining the operation of the brush with a special application on a smartphone, which in some cases may turn out to be particularly useful. Why? Because children usually don’t like brushing their teeth because it is simply boring in the world. These applications allow you to follow the progress on a regular basis on smartphone screens and thus encourage kids to thoroughly brush their teeth and achieve the best results.

Choosing a sonic toothbrush for a child – appearance

Probably for many children, the most important aspect, i.e. the appearance of the brush itself. It cannot be denied that little ones just like a toothbrush. Manufacturers of sonic brushes for children meet the expectations, allowing the child to personalize the handle of the toothbrush with appropriate stickers. In addition, decorating the brush housing with famous heroes from fairy tales is very popular.

If we want to buy a sonic toothbrush for our child, it will be best if we take them with us for shopping and simply let our child choose the model they like best.

The cost of a sonic toothbrush for a child

If we are talking about the cost of sonic brushes for children, it ranges between the cheapest models for PLN 50 and those more expensive for about PLN 250. Although the price can be put off at times, it should be added that it is not much if you compare them to the prices of sonic toothbrushes for adults.

See also: Oral hygiene is an important component of well-being and health. How to take care of gums at home?

A sonic toothbrush for a child and an electric toothbrush

A sonic toothbrush and an electric toothbrush for a child are a much better choice than manual toothbrushes when it comes to more thorough removal of plaque. The quick movements of the fibers carefully sweep away the plaque and clean the teeth faster, which is quite important considering the fact that young children get impatient relatively quickly.

However, what is the difference between a sonic toothbrush for a child and an electric version? The latter, also known as a rotary or oscillating toothbrush, has a round cleaning head, the fibers of which adhere directly to the tooth surface and mechanically remove plaque build-up. As the head has a round shape, it adapts well to the shape of the tooth, scrupulously cleaning it from all sides. In turn, the first one, i.e. the sonic toothbrush, has an oblong, narrow cleaning head that can cover as many as 2-3 teeth at the same time.

In addition, thanks to the use of sound waves, it transforms the paste, water and saliva into a mixture of microbubbles that reach areas inaccessible to the brush fibers, even several millimeters away. It is also worth mentioning that the sweeping motion of a sonic toothbrush is considered safer and gentler on the enamel and gums.

Also check: Sonic or electric toothbrush – which one is the best, what to choose?