Choosing a proper toothbrush for your child’s gum and teeth is very important. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice.

Manual Toothbrushes

·         Ask your dentist to recommend a toothbrush. Depending on the state of his teeth and gums, AS YOU MAY BE ADVICED TO USE you a soft-bristled regular toothbrush or steer you toward an electric one.

·         Always get soft-bristled brushes or heads to avoid pushing gums up.

·         Bristles are the most important consideration when buying a toothbrush. Choose soft nylon bristles, which will last long and not hurt gums even after vigorous brushing.

·         Select a brush head that is small enough to access hard-to-reach areas.

·         Experiment with tufted, angled or rounded-end bristles and easy grip, curved or flexible-grip handles to see which type of toothbrush best helps him reach the nooks and crannies.

Electrical Toothbrushes:

·         Keep in mind that there is no evidence that electronic toothbrushes work more effectively than conventional ones. However, people who are handicapped or who wear braces may prefer them.

·         Get a buzz with vibration toothbrushes. They work better because people brush longer and more debris is loosened by the vibrations.

·         Buy an electric toothbrush with a rotational oscillation design; although it costs more, it gives you tangibly better results. 

Which to choose for your kids:

There are many electric, battery operated toothbrushes on the market these days geared toward children. These toothbrushes boast tooth brushing fun for your  kids and claim to yield cleaner teeth. But are they really necessary? Does an electric toothbrush that costs at least twice as much as a manual toothbrush really get your child's teeth any cleaner? Is your child more likely to brush his teeth if he has an electric toothbrush instead of a manual one?

Many  children enjoy the fun sound and feeling of using a battery operated toothbrush. They may indeed actually be more likely to brush their teeth because of the "fun" created when using an electronic toothbrush. Additionally, many electronic toothbrushes come in fun colors and are affixed with cool characters like Spiderman, for example. As all  parents know, superficial factors just as these  play a role in getting younger children to do just about anything.

So yes, an electric toothbrush may indeed be more fun for your child to use, but does it do a better  cleaning job? According to the American Dental Association, it depends. The ADA states that both a manual and an electric toothbrush can do an effective job of cleaning a person's teeth. They do admit, however, that "Persons who have difficulty using a manual toothbrush may find a powered toothbrush easier to use or more comfortable", which indicates that younger children may actually get better cleaning with an electric toothbrush simply because their motor skills may not be developed enough to get good cleaning using a manual toothbrush.

Is Your Toothbrush Making Your Child Sick?

• Everyone looks for good health and clean teeth contribute to general well-being. Using a dirty or germy toothbrush can undo a world of good! By inserting a bacteria-laden tool into your mouth, you may actually be re-infecting yourself!
• Replace your toothbrush once every three months or whenever it becomes worn.
• Change the toothbrush after recovering from an infection during which bacteria in his mouth and saliva might have transferred it to the toothbrush.

 

Cleaner Tools Mean a Cleaner Mouth

First, using toothpaste – every time – actually helps to keep your toothbrush healthier. Be sure to rinse your toothbrush well every time you brush. (That means, at least twice a day!).

Using  clean fingers, wiggle the bristles underwater, making sure all debris is removed.

Store your toothbrush-standing upright (bristles up) in a holder or cup, so the bristles can air-dry completely.

Wash the container regularly in your automatic dishwasher.

Do not share toothbrushes – ever.

Also, avoid storing household toothbrushes in a communal cup or holder. This is a sure and speedy way to share germs among  family members!

When traveling, store your toothbrush in a plastic toothbrush protector. This will ensure it does not come in contact with other items in your luggage.

Antibacterial soaps, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, microwaving, and boiling have not been proven to sterilize toothbrushes. High-heat dishwashing is the safest bet. At least once a week, run your toothbrush through an automatic dishwasher, using HIGH heat to dry it. Because plastic can melt at high heat, you will want to put your toothbrush on the top rack.