Electric toothbrush for children

fangless1

I was wondering if any one had any recommendations for an electric toothbrush for older children.

I have two boys aged 8 and 10, they are both big lads for their ages.

I thought this would be a simple matter, but looking online and in shops, there seems to be brushes for younger children or adults.

I am concerned that a adult brush would be too harsh.

The kids dentist has advised previously that they both have rather thin enamel, not through any hygene failings, their teeth developed that way.

Thank you.

Toothsmith

Adult brushes wouldn't be 'too harsh'

Gums are delicate structures at all ages, so as long as you buy a decent one, it woun't be a problem.

I always recommend the Braun/Oral B brushes (I have no connection with the company! They don't pay me!).

But - I always tell people not to go for a top-of-the-range one, but a mid range one. Also - they're always on 1/2 price deal somewhere. Either at Tesco, or Morrissons or Boots, or Superdrug, so just keep your eyes open and get one that would normally retail for £50 - £60 for £25-30.

Make sure you change heads frequently too. My one concern about kids having electric brushes is that they do tend to chew the heads, and if they get through conventional toothbrushes really quickly, they will get through the heads of electric ones quickly too. An overworn electric head is just as useless as a worn out manual one.

Maybe use an electric brush as a reward for when they can get a conventional toothbrush to last a decent length of time (A couple of months is about right) by not chewing it, and not pressing on too hard.

Finally, it is more moneysaving to just have one motor unit and then they can all have their own heads. This is perfectly hygienic to do (and the reason for the different coloured rings with the heads) although it will mean that oly one child at a time can brush their teeth, which wouldn't be good on a busy school morning without military style planning!

brook2jack

If you are worried about the enamel be aware toothbrushing is not the most important piece in preventing problems, it's diet.

Providing they keep their sugar attacks to no more than three a day (including fruit juice, smoothies, raisins yoghourts etc) and brush well then they should have no problems.

I only tend to advise electric toothbrushes for children who have disabilities/limited hand movements.

Disclosing tablets are a cheap and cheerful way of ensuring they do a good job (don't do just before school though).

fangless1

Thanks for the information, very useful.

Both the boys are beyond the chewing toothbrushes stage. They both have regular chech ups and neither of them have needed any treatment, so must have been doing a pretty good job so far.

I realised that brushing technique is important, was not thinking an electric brush was a magic substitute, more an extra bit of thoroughness.

The dentist had previously advised my wife that both kids had weak areas in the enamel of their adult teeth, due to the teeth not forming properly, possibly due to illness when they were very young?

All I got was a note telling me to buy new brushes or the kids.

I was not prepared for the vast array of different electric brushes, diferent brushing modes and heads!:rotfl:

Anyway, an Oral B with a sensitive head seems ok?