Tips for Great Grins: Do Kids Need Special Toothbrushes?

Developing healthy toothbrushing habits is key to creating a lifetime of bright and happy smiles for every person. But the process of building good oral hygiene skills is an adventure for both parents and kids – you need to make sure that you have the right tools for the job!

Do you know what type of toothbrush you need for your little one? Do kids even need special toothbrushes? S’more Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in Cullman, AL, is here to help break down the basics for toothbrushes and what your kiddo should be using to brush their teeth at home!

Do Kids Need Special Toothbrushes?

The short answer? Yes! The type of toothbrush and amount of toothpaste for each kid depends on their age. Every child’s smile is unique, but the rules for toothbrushes and toothpaste are grouped by age range: 0 to 3 years old, 3 to 5 years old, 6 to 9 years old, and 10 years or older.

Let’s take a look!

Infants & Toddlers (0-3 Years Old)

As soon as your wiggly baby has teeth appear, it’s important to take care of those little chompers!

Even before teeth erupt, we recommend wiping down your baby’s mouth with a soft, wet washcloth to prevent sugar buildup, especially at night. Once the first tooth appears, parents should use a soft-bristled baby toothbrush or finger-slip toothbrush to clean their mouth and teeth. These toothbrushes are gentle tools designed for small mouths, but they still get the job done!

In addition, parents should use just a smear of pediatric dentist-approved toothpaste (just the size of a grain of rice), since our littlest patients tend to swallow some of it during brushing.

Young Kids (3 to 5 Years Old)

When your kiddo has grown up, it’s also time to size up that toothbrush! Instead of a baby toothbrush, it’s time for them to graduate to a toothbrush designed for big kids. Hurray!

Whatever toothbrush you pick out, make sure it has soft bristles. Soft bristles are easy on kid gums and small teeth.

They’ll still be prone to swallowing toothpaste at this age, so make sure to use a rice-sized smear of toothpaste on their toothbrush. Always supervise your kids to make sure that they’re getting good practice brushing.

Children (6 to 9 Years Old)

At this age, your kiddo will be able to use an electric toothbrush with soft bristles – the perfect tool for eliminating sugar buildup and fighting cavities! Plus, cool designs and sounds can make brushing ten times more fun for reluctant brushers. You’ll also want to use a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste.

Between 6 and 9 years old, your little one will start losing their baby teeth and will most likely want to start brushing on their own. It’s important that parents supervise toothbrushing time until the age of 9, but let them practice brushing on their own for two minutes. Once they’re done, parents should go over any missed spots again.

Big Kids (10+ Years Old)

Now, your little one is moving on to the big leagues of toothbrushing. With tons of great practice under your belt, your kid should be on their way to a lifetime of great smiles.

An adult-sized, soft-bristled, and electric toothbrush will do the trick for big kids. With more permanent teeth and larger mouths, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on an electric toothbrush will prevent cavities and keep their smile looking brighter than ever.

Ready for S’more Smiles at Our Pediatric Dentistry Practice?

If you have any additional questions about your own child’s toothbrushing timeline, talk to Dr. Cat in Cullman, AL! Our fun and friendly team is always here for parents and their kiddo’s little smiles. Schedule your cleaning, check-up, or first appointment with our practice today!