As a parent, you want to do whatever you can to make sure your child is living a happy and healthy life. Part of that is managing their oral care, especially when they are still young. That is why many parents want to make sure that kids aren’t just brushing and flossing daily, but that they also have the right oral care products. One frequently asked question by parents is whether or not electric motorized toothbrushes are worth the investment. To answer this question we need to look at electric toothbrushes’ effectiveness, age of the children, and personal preferences.
There have been many studies conducted to compare electric toothbrushes with standard, traditional, manual toothbrushes. And with those trials, there is still no definitive evidence that electric toothbrushes clean teeth better than manual brushes. Generally speaking, as long as the adult or child brushing their teeth do it properly, a manual brush can be as effective as an electric one. But that is where the key difference is. Electric brushes do make brushing your teeth easier to use. Electric brushes are calibrated to ensure that teeth are properly cleaned by rotating and vibrating the bristles. Some brushes even have built-in timers to help kids make sure they are brushing long enough. With these advancements, electric brushes make brushing more convenient and easier for kids.
Electric toothbrushes are better for kids of certain ages than others. Obviously, when your children are young you will need to brush their teeth and slowly teach them how to handle it on their own. But from the age your kids start brushing by themselves until they are teenagers, electric brushes can help them manage their own oral care even if they are not perfect in their brushing techniques. Teenagers and kids may prefer either electric brushes or manual brushes based on what works better for them and general preference.
The best way to pick the right toothbrush for your child is to let them try both and to talk with their dentist. Both manual and electric toothbrushes are capable of providing the same level of oral health when used correctly. It is most important that your child gets into the habit of brushing daily. If an electric toothbrush makes brushing easier and more convenient than it might be right for your kid.
At All Star Dental in the Chicago area, our teams of dentists can help you and your children brush better and prevent oral health issues. Visit our contact page to set up an appointment with one of our dentists.
