Thursday 26 February 2015

Toothbrushes for Your Tot



Finding the right toothbrush for your child can seem like a challenge, especially if you have gone down the toothbrush aisle lately.  With all the different colors, shapes and sizes available the question often arises of how to choose the right one?  In recent years the market has exploded with all the options available for toddlers and preschoolers. As a result when you do go into the toothbrush aisle with your child they may quickly be attracted to one with packaging that has their favorite character on it. But this is not necessarily a bad thing.

As many parents know, it can be quite challenging at times to get small children to brush their teeth. So when a child does become excited about their toothbrush or toothpaste, they are much more likely to use them.  When choosing the right toothbrush for your child its important to know some helpful guidelines:

·         Bristles – The Canadian Dental Association recommends to use toothbrushes with soft, rounded bristles that will be gentle on teeth and gums. Stiff and hard bristles can cause abrasion and sensitivity.

·         Toothbrush Head – When selecting the toothbrush select the brush head that will fit most comfortably in your child’s mouth.  Some toothbrush shapes will suit some mouths better than others and it’s important to get one that will allow access to all the hard to reach areas.  One that is too large can cause gagging and one that is too small may be over-inserted too far into the mouth.

·         Toothbrush Handle – A brush should be proportioned to a child’s hand.  Larger handles may be easier to hold and control for smaller children.

·         No-Name Toothbrushes – Be careful when looking at no name brushes which may seem like a good deal.  These products may be made of inferior materials that may even be unsafe. They may deteriorate quickly and may be better suited for cleaning rather than brushing teeth.

·         Power Toothbrushes – If manual brushing poses difficulties a powered toothbrush may be easier and comfortable to use. These can come with options that monitor how long your child is brushing such as a timer or music that plays for 1-2 minutes.

In the end the best toothbrush is the one that actually will get used.  Help your child pick the one they want and brushing can become for fun than a challenge. It's also important to change the brush every 3 months as you would change your own.

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