Dental Tools

Brushing as a regular habit can play a major role for children to maintain oral hygiene.

Our team at Capital Pediatric Dentistry is here to give you some tips to make brushing easier by choosing the right tools. From choosing the best toothbrush to finding the right flossing tools – let’s see how you can make your child’s teeth look bright and healthy!

The Right Kind of Toothbrush to Buy for your Child’s Dental Care

Toothbrushes have seen some drastic changes over the decades. The simple straight toothbrush has been greatly improved on. You can now find a plethora of bristle types for your toothbrush, sizes and shapes. Knowing which one is best for your child can be difficult. Regarding the bristle strength normally you will find 4 main categories for toothbrushes:

– Extra Soft
– Soft
– Medium
– Hard

With these 4 options, which one do you choose? According to research, children benefit the most by using a Soft bristle toothbrush. Some may argue that Extra Soft is also a great choice for a child’s teeth cleaning. However, apart from being less common at drug stores, they are normally used for people with gum diseases.

Medium and Hard bristle toothbrushes can cause damage to the gums and weaken or even permanently damage your child’s enamel.

Soft toothbrushes are much lighter on the gums and enamel and can provide optimal cleaning to your child’s teeth. While the brushing technique also makes a difference, a soft bristle toothbrush is known to be the top recommendation by pediatric dentists.

Specialized Toothbrushes for Children with Special Needs

Oral care for kids with special needs can be especially difficult. Because of this, they are at even greater risk for oral diseases. Luckily there is an amazing toothbrush that really helps get all the teeth brushed without too much trouble.

1) Toddler Surround Toothbrush

The Toddler Surround Toothbrush is used for children generally under the age of 5 due to its smaller head and thicker handle. This toothbrush comes with a much needed protective cover and three bristle pad to help you easily clean all the surfaces of your child’s teeth at the same time. This is very convenient, especially if your toddler resists brushing, or cannot do so on their own due to a disability. The soft and rounded bristles of the Toddler Toothbrush are easy on your child’s gums, and the whole toothbrush is covered with non-slip material for easier holding.

2) Regular Surround Toothbrush

The Regular Surround Toothbrush is very similar to the Toddler Toothbrush. It also comes with a protective cover and three bristle pad. However, this toothbrush is normally used when you are brushing someone else’s teeth, and if they are over the age of 5. What makes this toothbrush truly different from the Toddler Surround Toothbrush is its long handle that enables you to stay at a safe distance from the mouth. In terms of cleaning – this toothbrush is also an ideal choice for caregivers to brighten up their child’s teeth.

Flossing Tools for Your Kids

To maintain the oral health of your child, brushing teeth must be combined with flossing.
Choosing the right dental tools to floss your child’s teeth can make the process easier. Let’s have a look at some effective options you have to choose from.

Waterpik Water Flosser: Waterpik is known to be one of the best flossing tools out there. It’s ideal for children with braces, with its streams of water cleaning between your child’s teeth becomes easier than ever. If you are looking for an option where traditional flossing tools can’t reach, then Waterpik is a great choice to try.

Flossing Picks: Even with traditional dental tools, flossing does not have to be slow. To make flossing of your child’s teeth easier, Plackers, Dentek, and other companies offer flossing picks.

Sonicare Air Floss: Air floss is a great choice for you to remove unwanted particles from your child’s teeth. With its burst of water droplets and air, you can remove the food build-up.

Oral-B Threader Floss: This flossing tool is ideal for children who have braces or other retainers. Oral-B makes it easier for you to maneuver around the wires of your child’s teeth and helps you provide optimal cleaning.

Flavored Floss: Some children hate flossing products, so cleaning their teeth can be a bit tedious. However, with a flavored floss, your children would feel less reluctant to get their teeth cleaned.

Conclusion

Maintaining the dental health of your child is not easy. However, using the right toothbrush and flossing tools can help a lot. If you still have any questions, you can always get in touch with our team at Capital Pediatric Dentistry for a free consultation for your child’s dental care.