One concern we receive from parents quite often is whether or not electric toothbrushes are more effective than manual toothbrushes. We also have seen many parents wondering if electric toothbrushes are safe for their children to use. As your family’s pediatric dental care providers, we understand how important it is for both our patients and their parents to feel well-informed and confident in all dental decisions.
At Medical Center Children’s Dentistry, we believe that this starts at home with decisions like which toothbrush and toothpaste are best for each member of your family. This is why we have created this guide to assist parents in deciding which toothbrush is ideal for everyone in the household.
Are Electric Toothbrush Better Than Manual Toothbrushes?
We believe that manual toothbrushes should be used starting as soon as your child’s first teeth begin to come through. We recommend starting with a small pea-sized “dot” of toothpaste to begin. According to Oral-B, children can start using their kid-friendly, electric toothbrushes. These oral health products are listed “for children” on their packaging, along with their American Dental Association’s ADA Seal of Acceptance.
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), it is possible to brush your teeth effectively using a manual toothbrush. However, an electric toothbrush can be a great alternative to a manual toothbrush as well. In fact, they are a great alternative for children, individuals with disabilities, older adults, or those with health conditions that make it difficult to brush well due to dexterity. Really they are a great option for most patients over the age of 3 years old.
The movement of electric toothbrushes assists many individuals with disabilities, ailments, and injuries allowing them to retain independence in managing their own oral care. We know that this independence means a lot to these patients, as well as their families who strive to give them the best opportunities they can. Our staff has had many lifelong patients with disabilities, as well as many patients with unique needs. We believe that all of our patients deserve the same level of care and commitment. We proudly welcome all patients and their families to our Medical Center Children’s Dentistry family.
Honestly, electric toothbrushes are for anyone looking to improve their oral health. The precise bristle movement of an electric toothbrush might even assist you in removing more plaque and food debris from your teeth, ultimately improving your gum health, as well as your child's overall and oral health too.
Do The Same Care Suggestions Apply For Manual and Electric Brushing?
The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends brushing teeth twice a day for two minutes using toothpaste that includes fluoride. A consistent habit of having your child brush their teeth for two minutes has been shown to achieve clinically significant plaque removal, regardless of their age. Combined with the use of age-appropriate toothpaste that contains fluoride has been associated with decreased risk of caries both now and in the future.
Be sure that the toothbrush your child uses has bristles that are soft enough for their sensitive gums. The shape of the brush should also fit in their mouth while giving them enough room to reach all corners easily. This is one of the reasons we recommend age-appropriate brushes to ensure they efficiently clean their little mouths and avoid injuries that a brush that’s “too big” can cause.
Another key to helping your child achieve good, lifelong oral health is developing habits such as consistency with replacing their toothbrush on time. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends that everyone replaces their toothbrush every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles of the brush become frayed. A newer toothbrush does a much better job than one that is worn and battered.
How Do You Pick The Right Toothbrush?
When choosing a manual or an electric toothbrush to use, it is vital to ensure that the toothbrush is comfortable to hold and easy for your child to use. There are a variety of electric toothbrushes, the key is to ensure both comfort and safety. We recommend only purchasing children's oral care products that are age-appropriate, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, and mouthwash. Any age recommendations or restrictions should be listed on the outer part of the product’s packaging.
With today’s technology, many electric toothbrushes offer features such as adjustable power levels, timers, a variety of decorative themes, and even rechargeable batteries. In my professional opinion, the most important two factors are…
A) Is the patient comfortable while brushing?
B) Is the toothbrush efficient?
If the patient is comfortable and the product gets the job done it is the right toothbrush for your child! There are a lot of reasons that patients choose electric toothbrushes and almost just as many reasons that our patients choose manual toothbrushes. It really comes down to the patient and their parent’s preference and comfort.
Daily toothbrush care and hygiene!
Because toothbrushes are used to clean the inside of our mouths, naturally they pick up both bacteria and germs during each use. There are some straightforward ways to ensure your that your child’s toothbrush is always clean, as well as how to extend its life and usage.
- Never let your child share toothbrushes with anyone. The act of sharing a toothbrush can potentially result in the exchange of bodily fluids between your child and the other user, which can expose them to a number of illnesses and diseases. This can also expose your child to external microorganisms as well.
- Rinse the toothbrush thoroughly after every single use. By rinsing your child’s toothbrush after each use you remove any remaining toothpaste paste and debris. This should be done after every brushing session.
- Store toothbrushes upright and allow them to air dry. By storing your child’s toothbrush in an upright position after every use and allowing them to air dry fully, you lessen the chances of bacteria growth. When a toothbrush is stored in a moist, closed container it ultimately promotes unwanted microbial growth. Air drying is the quickest and most sanitary way to dry and store your family’s toothbrushes.
- Replace toothbrushes or toothbrush heads frequently. Both manual toothbrushes and electric toothbrush heads should be replaced approximately every three to four months. This limits the time that bacteria have to grow. This also ensures the toothbrush is in good enough shape to work efficiently. The more of the bristles that become matted, worn, or frayed the less effective the brush becomes.
Dental studies done by the American Dental Association (ADA) have shown that toothbrushes have been known to harbor a variety of bacteria, including fecal coliform bacteria that can be released into the air when the toilet is flushed. While there is no evidence that these small exposures to bacteria can cause adverse health effects, it increases the awareness of bathroom and oral health hygiene.
While most patients avoid this exposure through strategic toothbrush storage in the bathroom, some use sanitizing devices as well. Thes professional quality, at-home toothbrush sanitizers are available at stores such as Walmart and Target. We always recommend that our patients consider devices and oral health products that have been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or have achieved the American Dental Association’s ADA Seal of Acceptance.
We believe that regardless of whether you choose an electric toothbrush or a manual toothbrush for your child, what's most important is the consistency of daily oral health habits, such as brushing and flossing. Developing these habits is vital to setting your child up for lifelong, positive oral health. If you are interested in learning more oral health tips for kids or setting up a time for Dr. Casey to give a “one-on-one” lesson to your child, feel free to reach out today.
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