Are you wondering about an electric toothbrush for kids? Should you invest in a kid’s electric toothbrush?
If you’re a parent, then chances are you’ve battled with your child on many occasions to make them understand why their teeth need brushing. It kind of makes sense that they’re reluctant. After all, we’re always telling them not to put things into their mouth. And, suddenly, we’re urging them to stick a long spiky thing with horrible minty goo inside their mouth.
Let’s face facts. Most kids try to avoid brushing their teeth. It’s perfectly normal.
Moreover, most children also look to their parents for guidance. Show your child what to do, and they’ll copy it. Kids should learn from their parents that brushing their teeth needs to be done twice a day for their oral health. So what better way to get the message across than by exhibiting good brushing habits yourself – even more so when you’re struggling to get them to brush.
This is why we suggest parents go around the house brushing, flossing, smiling – even dancing. Make it a fun thing to do, and your kids will want to be part of it.
Why consider an electric toothbrush for kids?
If your little one goes into melt-down every time you suggest that their teeth could do with a scrub and a polish, you might want to consider a kid’s electric toothbrush. Not only are they a good option for reluctant brushers, but they can clean teeth faster and with less effort, so it’s a win-win solution.
If you want to establish good tooth brushing habits, electric toothbrushes can help for the simple reason that children aren’t good at brushing.
They don’t understand the importance of brushing for their oral health, and they can’t visualise the inside of their mouth, let alone try to reach every area of it. Children also lack the coordination needed for proper brushing. Electric toothbrushes can help them access more areas of their mouth with less effort.
So, having established the benefits of a kid’s electric toothbrush, which one should you choose?
We’ve rounded up nine of the best electric toothbrushes on the market.
Electric toothbrush for kids – Our top picks
Best for beginners or children that have never used an electric toothbrush
Oral-B Stages Frozen Power Electric Toothbrush – $22.50 on Amazon
Oral-B offers two electric toothbrushes for kids – 3-5 years and 6-12 years that come in many different Disney designs, including Frozen and Spiderman, together with a matching Disney Magic timer app that helps with brushing teeth longer and better. The toothbrush is rechargeable with the same plug as for an adult Oral-B toothbrush and lasts around five days on a single charge. They’re relatively inexpensive and an ideal option if you’re unsure whether your child will like an electric toothbrush and you don’t want to spend more on a fancy brush. Furthermore, according to reviews, many other cheaper toothbrushes have a much bigger head which isn’t suitable for small mouths.
Vivatec Mega Ten kids Sonic 360 Electric Toothbrush – $45.85 at Catch.com.au
This super-cute electric toothbrush for kids comes in 3 designs: penguin, otter, and duck, and features a two-minute timer to know how long to brush their teeth. The toothbrush is easy for small hands to grip, while the BPA silicon-free head does a gentle and thorough job of cleaning the teeth using Sonic technology. Such a fun way for little ones to keep on track with their oral health.
Arm & Hammer Kid’s Spinbrush, Jurassic World – $9.84 at iHerb
On the plus side, this toothbrush is very affordable, but on the downside, the head is not replaceable, which means you will have to buy a new unit every few months. That said, at under $10, it’s an excellent no-frills option for reluctant brushers as it’s gentle and easy to use. It’s also waterproof, which could be handy if your child is more inclined to co-operate and brush their teeth when distracted by being in the bath, for example.
Best for babies and toddlers
Typically, electric toothbrushes are not recommended for children under three, but once a child starts teething, the following toothbrushes can be used with supervision:
Jack n’Jill Buzzy Brush, Electric Musical Toothbrush & sticker sheet – $40.55 at iHerb
Brushing teeth is fun for little ones with this cute toothbrush that plays a happy tune for two minutes. Soft-bristled and with a replaceable head, the toothbrush is also supplied with stickers, so kids can have fun personalising it. It’s a good option for a child who wants more than a manual brush but isn’t ready for all the features of toothbrushes, such as the Sonicare.
Marcus and Marcus Kids Premium Dental Oral Set – $99 at Catch.com.au
If your child needs some encouragement with brushing their teeth, this is one cool package. There’s a sonic electric toothbrush, interactive LCD brushing timer, and wait for it … a ‘Toothbat’ which shows them how to floss. The timer runs for two minutes and includes three interactive games which keep kids engaged while the toothbrush vibrates every 10 seconds, telling them it’s time to move to another area of their mouth.
bbluv Sonik – 2-Stage Sonic Battery Powered Toothbrush – $19.99 from Amazon
Designed for the tiniest of tots, this kid’s electric toothbrush is incredibly soft, gentle, and safe for every mouth, being made from food-grade silicone. The toothbrush is also water-resistant and has an LED light enabling you to see into your baby’s mouth. Teething gel can also be applied, allowing gentle vibrations to massage the gums, alleviating some of the pain of teething.
Best overall electric toothbrush for kids
Philips Sonicare Built-in Bluetooth Sonic Kids Electric Toothbrush with an interactive coaching app – $67.10 at Amazon
A scaled-down version of the Philips famous Sonicare brush, this smart-little machine is determined to make kids enjoy brushing their teeth. Sonic technology pulses water between the teeth and breaks up plaque, while the coaching app syncs with your kid’s brush to track how they’re doing, show them the correct way, and even reward them for a great job. A pacer helps your child find their rhythm, and a timer ensures they brush for long enough.
Sonic Electric Toothbrush – $39.80 at Catch.com.au
This electric toothbrush for kids is exceptionally cute to look at and has a unique shape that fits neatly into tiny mouths. It comes in pink or blue and has three modes: strong clean, soft clean and gum massage. The toothbrush is made with food-grade silicone and completes a thorough clean to maintain good oral health in just 45 seconds.
ISSA Micro Toothbrush – $129 from The Iconic.com.au
It may not have the bells and whistles of the Philips Sonicare model above, but its sleek design is just perfect for kids. Intended for children up to 5, it comes in a range of colours and is USB chargeable. The silicone bristles are super-soft, and gentle sonic pulsations provide a thorough clean. The ISSA Micro is one of a few electric toothbrushes that also functions as a teething aid with a massage or brush mode – enabling the application of teething gel with a soothing massage.
What to consider before buying a kid’s electric toothbrush?
Just remember that every child is different. Your friend’s kid may love their electric toothbrush, whilst yours is terrified of it. They make a noise, buzz, and feel weird on the teeth and the gums. So if your child isn’t a fan right away, don’t stress too much over it.
The majority of kids eventually love electric toothbrushes, but this isn’t something you can force. When selecting an electric toothbrush for kids, there are four things to consider:
- Plaque removal – the primary role of any toothbrush is to remove plaque from the teeth and gums consistently. In our opinion, a high-quality toothbrush achieves this the best. Typically, your dentist can assess how well your chosen toothbrush is performing in the plaque stakes.
- Head size and shape – This is important to access hard to reach areas and is particularly relevant for children whose small mouths are still developing
- Quality of bristles – We recommend replacing the toothbrush head every month to prevent the bristles from becoming worn and scratching the enamel. With a high-quality toothbrush, replacing the head every three months may be sufficient.
- Power source – Generally speaking, high-quality electric toothbrushes for kids should be rechargeable. Don’t worry. The charging bases are perfectly safe around kids.
Do kids need an electric toothbrush?
In all honesty, no! But then, neither do adults. A manual toothbrush will do just as well. The important thing is whether they’re brushing their teeth at all.
An electric toothbrush generally does a more thorough cleaning job because it’s more powerful and easier to use. Because children aren’t good brushers and usually don’t have much patience, anything that makes the job easier has to be a good thing, right?
So, what is the best electric toothbrush for kids?
Ultimately, it’s the one your kid happily reaches for twice a day.
For more information, call Dental 266 on (02) 9051 0600 today.
