Types of toothbrushes
Overview
Parents have told us that finding the right toothbrush can take time and may involve trying a few options. Since children have different sensory needs, there's no single solution. You likely already know a lot about your child’s sensory preferences- what they like and dislike in terms of textures, colours, temperatures, and movements during everyday activities like play, mealtime, or getting dressed. This can be helpful when introducing a toothbrush. Below are the most common ones used by families.
Plastic toothbrush
Can be useful if:
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Your child has sensitive teeth or gums
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Your child is sensory seeking and likes a firmer sensation of the toothbrush on their teeth and gums
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Your family includes more than one child
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If your child likes the movement of the toothbrush around the mouth (back and forth)
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Your child prefers quieter toothbrushes
Electric toothbrush
Can be useful if:
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Your child enjoys pressure on their gums/teeth
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Your child often cleans the same area of the mouth repeatedly or struggles with transitions
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You want to get to those hard-to-reach places
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Your child wants to hold the toothbrush with you
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You (or your child) want to change the settings (e.g. pressure)
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You want to make toothbrushing engaging
Three-sided toothbrush
Can be useful if:
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Your child has heightened sensory sensitivity
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You are looking for a brush easier to use
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Your child can only brush for a short period of time
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If your child likes the movement of the toothbrush around the mouth (back and forth)
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If your child has a strong gag reflex
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If your child bites the toothbrush
Bamboo toothbrush
Can be useful if:
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Your child likes the feeling of a wooden handle
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Your child is sensitive to standard toothbrushes
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Your child does not like the temperature of plastic toothbrushes
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If your child likes the movement of the toothbrush around the mouth (back and forth)
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If your child is sensitive to sound or likes the sound of the bristles
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You or your child are conscious of the impact of plastic waste on the environment
Recommended by families
Tell us what works for your family! Does your child have a favourite toothbrush or toothpaste? Is there a brushing routine or trick that helps make things easier at home? We’d love to hear your ideas, your tips could help other families.
Key messages
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Jump straight to what parents and early years professionals have said about different toothbrushes and how you can adapt them
