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Experts agree that healthy dental habitsstart at an early age— and yet, getting young kids to brush their teeth every day can be a constant battle for many parents.
In today’s world, there are so many options to choose from when it comes to toothbrushes, especially when you’re deciding between basic manual brushes or electric-powered brushes.
Prices can vary, but it’s possible to find one that’s affordable, suits your child’s individual needs, and makes brushing their teeth feel like a fun task rather than a chore.
- Best overall electric toothbrush for kids:Oral-B Kids Electric Toothbrush
- Best electric toothbrush for younger kids:Dada-Tech Baby Electric Toothbrush
- Best battery-operated kids’ electric toothbrush:Arm & Hammer Kid’s Spinbrush
- Best electric toothbrush and toothpaste subscription:quip Kids Electric Toothbrush
- Least scary electric toothbrush for kids:Philips Sonicare for Kids Power Toothbrush
- 最好的电动牙刷牙套:Fairywill Sonic Electric Toothbrush
We started by asking Dr.Hanna Park, a DMD and board certified pediatric dentist at Memorial Children’s Dentistry in Houston, Texas, for recommendations. Additionally, we evaluated reviews from parents and the following criteria:
- Durability.The best electric toothbrushes should be more durable, so they last longer than regular toothbrushes (still replacing the heads, of course).
- Reasonable price tag for the market.While some electric toothbrushes for adults can run you a couple hundred dollars, all our picks are under $50.
- Rave reviews about ease of use for kids and effectivity in cleaning.We looked for positive reviews from other parents.
Best overall electric toothbrush for kids
Oral-B Kids Electric Toothbrush
Price:$$
“I always recommend soft bristles for kids of all ages,” says Park. “This toothbrush offers everything you need at a great price point.”
The Oral-B Kids Electric Toothbrush is equipped with a rechargeable handle and charger and includes a round, extra-soft brush head and special gentle mode for kids’ teeth and gums. Parents can even download Oral-B’s Disney Magic Timer app, which encourages 2-minute brushing using interactive videos.
It’s also available in a few different themes based on popular kids’ movies like “Frozen” and “Toy Story” (and comes with four free stickers!).
Best electric toothbrush for younger kids
DaDa-Tech Baby Electric Toothbrush
Price:$
This toothbrush is a great option for toddlers, as its small head and soft nylon bristles are designed with gentle teeth and gum cleaning in mind. It’s also equipped with a 2-minute self-timer that pulses every 30 seconds to indicate when it’s time to focus on another area.
As an added bonus, the brightly colored brush handle and LED light help to make tooth-brushing more fun and less intimidating for your child. Plus, many parents note that the light is incredibly helpful for seeing what’s happening in their child’s mouth.
Best battery-operated kids’ electric toothbrush
Arm & Hammer Kid's Spinbrush
Price:$
A battery-powered toothbrush offers a less expensive, yet still effective way to brush your kids’ teeth. This kids’ brush from Arm & Hammer has a small, soft-bristle head to fit smaller mouths. While the fixed lower bristles go to work on cleaning your little one’s teeth, the top bristles spin to massage gums and may help to better fight plaque.
It does come with two necessary AAA batteries, but a few parents complain that the “on” button is tough to press and hold, especially for younger kids. So, while this brush gets points for affordability, it’s not necessarily the most user-friendly for little ones.
Best electric toothbrush and toothpaste subscription
Quip Kids Electric Toothbrush
Price:$$
Much like the adult toothbrush from quip, this option is sleek, battery-operated, and — dare we say — trendy. The quip kids’ toothbrush features a smaller head, softer bristles, and the same 2-minute timer with 30 second vibration.
Choose from four different solid-colored, rubber-grip handles to start. Then, with your subscription, you’ll receive a new brush head and a fresh tube of watermelon-flavored toothpaste every 3 months.
Least scary electric toothbrush for kids
Philips Sonicare for Kids Power Toothbrush
Price:$$$
Kids may be less likely to be intimidated by an electric toothbrush if it looks like a fun gadget or toy, and adding songs or other interactive features can definitely help.
This colorful brush from Philips Sonicare is compatible with Bluetooth, so kids can access a free interactive app that teaches the importance of brushing in a fun way. Plus, the brush’s “kidpacer” feature alerts you when it’s time to move on to another area of the mouth to make sure you’re cleaning thoroughly.
Most parents say this toothbrush is a mini version of Philips’ fan-favorite adult electric toothbrush. But you’ll pay for all the bells and whistles — this is the most expensive option on this list for sure.
最好的电动牙刷牙套
Fairywill Sonic Electric Toothbrush
Price:$$
While this toothbrush isn’t specifically targeted toward children, it’s a favorite among adults and older children with braces. One reviewer notes that it’s especially effective for cleaning around her 10-year-old’s wires and brackets.
This brush has super soft bristles, which is especially recommended for kids with braces, says Park. Another cool feature: Fairywill’s bristles fade from blue to white over time, indicating that it’s time to replace the head.
On the positive side, they can make brushing considerably easier. Don’t be fooled by their high tech appearance — electric toothbrushes are definitely easier to use than standard ones when you’re helping your child brush their teeth, says Park.
However, some kids may be sensitive to vibrations and may not like the sound or the feel of an electric toothbrush. Especially if your child has a difficult time withsensory processing, an electric toothbrush can be a lot to take in.
There isn’t a hard-and-fast rule on when kids should start using electric toothbrushes, but according to Park, it’s recommended to wait until they’re 3 years old.
“一般情况下,孩子们将所有主要teeth erupted by age 3, and that’s when the contacts of teeth will be closing,” she explains. “Electric toothbrushes may be useful to remove plaque, since a lot of kids do not have the manual dexterity to thoroughly clean multiple surfaces of teeth.”
And, although theAmerican Dental Associationsays both manual and electric toothbrushes are considered effective, Park says you’re still likely to feel a difference in yourownteeth with an electric brush and that they sometimes do a better job at removing plaque.
“A lot of kids don’t have complex gum disease, but most of them present with gingivitis, which means plaque removal is key,” she explains. “I always stress the importance of brushing back molars thoroughly, since baby molars do not fall out until age 12.”
Remember, too, that kids generally need help with brushing their teeth until about 6 years old — whether they’re using an electric or manual toothbrush.
- Softness.Whether manual or electric, theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics recommendschildren use a brush with soft bristles.
- Price.“Before investing in a full-spec brush, try a less expensive one to see if your child can tolerate the vibration and sensation of an electric brush,” says Park.
- Features.Character themes and songs can make tooth-brushing more fun!
- Small brush head.“I recommend using the smallest brush head possible so you can get back in to brush the back molars,” says Park.
- Replacement heads.Be sure to get replacement heads and change them outevery 3 months, or if your child gets sick with illnesses such as a cold, flu, or sore throat, Park says. This is because germs can hang out and hide in the bristles and up the chances of reinfection.
- 存储。Keep the brush in an area where it won’t stay moist, both to keep germs away and to keep it from breaking.
An electric toothbrush can be a great tool in your child’s dental routine (and may even get them more excited about brushing their teeth if it’s not exactly a favorite activity). Just make sure to wait until they’re at least 3 years old, and look for options with soft bristles and a small brush head.