Pros and Cons of Electric Toothbrushes for Kids

Pros and Cons of Electric Toothbrushes for Kids

Pros and Cons of Electric Toothbrushes for Kids

Getting your kids to brush their teeth can be extremely difficult. Marketers and toothbrush companies understand this, so they sell plenty of toothbrushes that are designed for children. When you walk into a pharmacy, you’ll probably see electric toothbrushes that play music, light up in bright colors, and are decorated with cartoon characters.

These types of electric toothbrushes may seem like a great way to encourage your kids to brush their teeth. In this month’s blog, the Houston Pediatric Dentists at Bunker Hill Pediatric Dentistry weigh the pros and cons of electric toothbrushes for your child.

Pros of Electric Toothbrushes

In most cases, a fun toothbrush successfully encourages kids to take care of their dental health. Instead of telling your child that it’s time to brush his teeth, you can tell him that it’s time for music, colors, or lights. He’ll enjoy the music, cartoon characters, or flashing lights so much that he won’t mind brushing his teeth.

Electric toothbrushes are also a good way to make kids more comfortable at the dentist. If a child is used to a regular toothbrush, the equipment at the dentist may seem scary or overwhelming. By using an electric toothbrush, the child will get used to the buzzing and whirring sounds, so the dentist’s equipment won’t seem so foreign.

Cons of Electric Toothbrushes

Electric toothbrushes have their benefits, but there are also some risks to a child using one. Regular brushes usually provide a better cleaning than electric brushes. Also, your child may not learn proper brushing technique with an electric toothbrush. If they ever switch to a regular toothbrush, they might not brush their teeth thoroughly enough, or they may brush too aggressively.

Some kids are also afraid of the buzzing sounds and vibrations of electric toothbrushes. They might find it intimidating to put the electric brush right up to their face. You may purchase an electric brush for your child that they never end up using because they’re more comfortable with a traditional toothbrush. Even if they’re not afraid of the brush, some kids simply don’t want to brush their teeth. Music, cartoon characters, or pretty colors may work sometimes, but it won’t be enough for every child.

The decision of whether or not to buy an electric toothbrush for your child is completely up to you. It can be a great way to make dental hygiene more fun. However, it’s also important for kids to learn proper brushing technique and habits. If you’re not sure whether it would be a good option for your child, you can ask your dentist for advice.

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