What Is the Best Electric Toothbrush for Kids? We Asked a Pediatric Dentist
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Dental hygiene with kids can be a challenge, but if you find the right routine—and the right tools—the job gets much easier to accomplish. Case in point: An electric toothbrush. The sky’s the limit when it comes to options for the younger set, but how do you go about choosing the best electric toothbrush for your child? We asked a pediatric dentist to weigh in.
Meet the Expert
Dr. Erin Isaac is a board-certified pediatric dentist and dental coach based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She’s also an assistant clinical professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine.
What to Look for When Choosing an Electric Toothbrush for Kids
Amongst all the bells and whistles available, there are a variety of features to pay attention to when shopping for an electric toothbrush for kids.
Size
This is top of Dr. Isaac’s list when it comes to what to look for when selecting an electric toothbrush for your child. A smaller mouth requires a smaller toothbrush head, as well as a handle that’s small and nimble enough for them to hold and move around as they brush. Ideally, you want to find an electric toothbrush with a head that can reach to the back of their molars—and no further.
A Built-In Timer
More and more electric toothbrushes are starting to include this feature—for example, a timer that vibrates or beeps every 30 seconds to remind your child that it’s time to move on to the next section of their mouth. (Electric toothbrushes with timers also usually have an auto shut-off after two minutes of brushing.) This can make teeth brushing a lot more enticing or game-like for kids.
If you snag an electric toothbrush without a built-in timer, it can be helpful to set one on your own. (Some brushes come with hourglass timers included, but you can also purchase one separately or set a timer on your phone.)
Battery Life
This is a detail you’ll want to be on the lookout for when you shop: The type of batteries the electric toothbrush you choose requires. While many electric toothbrushes are rechargeable, others use disposable batteries. Both are fine to use, but it’s something to pay attention to since a rechargeable electric toothbrush will require space (and a plug) for a charging dock while an electric toothbrush that uses disposable batteries will need replacing on the regular.
Practicality
Again, per Dr. Isaac, the main thing you want to keep in mind when shopping for an electric toothbrush is your kid’s comfort. How’s their grip? Can they maneuver it in their mouth easily? Is it easy to turn on and off? If an electric toothbrush feels clunky or difficult to navigate in any way, it could become a teeth-brushing deterrent, which is the opposite of the goal.
What’s the Best Age for Kids to Start Using an Electric Toothbrush?
According to Dr. Isaac, there is an ideal age when it comes to introducing kids to an electric toothbrush. “I typically recommend waiting until at least three years old,” Dr. Isaac says. “This is because some electric brushes can be a little rough or bumpy, which many kids don’t like, especially if the child is a toothbrush chewer or wants to brush on their own. Electric toothbrushes also often have a large head, which can make it more difficult for kids younger than three to get into the nooks and crannies of a small mouth.” We repeat, this is where the parents come in. “Parents should assist with brushing, whether a toothbrush is manual or electric, to some extent until age 7,” Dr. Isaac suggests.
What Are the Benefits of Using an Electric Toothbrush vs. a Manual Toothbrush for Kids?
Dr. Isaac is clear: An electric toothbrush can clean more effectively than a manual toothbrush. But there’s a caveat—you have to choose the right one and use it properly. “I usually only recommend an electric toothbrush if the child is OK with jiggles or vibrations and if parents can find one that has a small head,” Dr. Isaac explains. “The best brush is one they’ll actually use—and use right.”
Parents also need to help their kids ensure that the brush is contacting all the different surfaces of the tooth. “Many little kids expect an electric toothbrush to move around and do all of the work for them and leave it in one spot instead of maneuvering it around their mouth,” Dr. Isaac says. That proficiency develops with time, but in the interim, parental involvement is required.
Best Electric Toothbrush for Kids At a Glance
1. Oral-B Kids Color-Changing Electric Toothbrush
Amazon
The easy-to-grip handle, the color-changing bristles which alert you when it’s time to change the brush head, the built-in timer—this electric toothbrush checks every box. Our testers raved about its ease of use, but also how effectively it cleans their kids’ teeth. Stand-out features include the rechargeable battery in addition to the ability to set the toothbrush to “sensitive mode,” great for kids who are still getting a feel for the pulsing sensation. When it’s time to change out the brush head, you’ll see the bristles change from blue to white—a nice touch. The timer, which vibrates every 30 seconds, helps incentivize kids to keep going while the companion Disney Magic Timer app delivers an interactive experience that motivates your kid to just keep brushing. Bonus, according to one of our testers: “Mom and Dad use Oral-B, too, so it’s nice to share a charger and be able to have replacement heads that are one-size-fits-all.”
2. Philips Sonicare for Kids Electric Toothbrush
Amazon
Our reviewers tout two stand-out features when it comes to their kids’ use of this brush: 1. The battery life (this rechargeable electric toothbrush can stay powered for a full 14 days of use) 2. The quality. One of our testers remarked, “We got it two years ago and we’re still using it—with new brush heads, of course!” Add to that the brush’s effectiveness (one mom touted the glowing reviews her kid gets at the dentist) and the ability to customize. Stickers come included for kids to decorate and personalize their brush. The built-in KidTimer is also unique as it’s designed to help your child gradually build up to the dentist-recommended two-minute brush time. Also included—the KidPacer, another timer of sorts, but this one uses musical alerts to maximize cleaning and signal to your child when it’s time to move on to a different area of the mouth.
3. DADA-TECH Baby Electric Toothbrush
Amazon
The reason this electric toothbrush is so properly suited for the younger set is that the soft nylon bristles and food grade brush heads encourage gentle brushing while being designed to suit the teeth topography and dental characteristics of toddler-sized mouths. Other features our parent testers loved: the anti-slip handle and LED light make brushing easy, but also fun. This electric brush also comes with a 30-second pulse timer, so that parents can help instill proper brushing habits at an early age.
4. 7AM2M Sonic Electric Toothbrush
Amazon
Ease of use is one of the stand-out features of this electric toothbrush, according to a mom who tried it with her elementary-aged kids. “I got an A+ from the dentist and love that this toothbrush actually helps my kids brush their teeth entirely on their own,” she said. “It’s inexpensive and no-nonsense. You just press a button and go.” The Sonic technology is also worth noting—it’s designed to deliver an exceptional clean and not only remove plaque, but whiten teeth and improve oral health, too. This electric toothbrush also comes with five brushing modes—clean, white, polish, milder and sensitive—all to suit different conditions of teeth or gums, which you can activate based on your kid’s dentist’s advice.
5. Quip Kids Electric Toothbrush
Quip
The “set it and forget it” convenience of Quip’s electric toothbrush for kids gets rave reviews from our parent testers. Every three months, a small brush head (and free battery) refill arrives at your door, so you can maintain proper oral hygiene with minimal effort. (The cost for each refill starts at $7.) There’s more: The rubber-grip handle, the small—and soft—bristle brush head, the timed sonic vibrations (every 30 seconds for two minutes brushing time in total). Parents love the gimmick-free experience and ability to check off everyone in the family’s toothbrush needs, all in one subscription box.
6. Colgate Kids Battery Powered Toothbrush
Amazon
Llamas, unicorns, even Batman and Bluey are characters your kid will love choosing from when you pick up this affordable and user-friendly battery-operated electric toothbrush. The small, vibrating brush has an on/off button that’s easy to use and fun for kids since they’ll leap at the chance to see a favorite design in their hands. Also included: Extra soft bristles for a gentle brushing experience for younger mouths.
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