What is an electric toothbrush? Is it appropriate for children to use electric toothbrushes?

Stating that in children who are introduced to decay-causing bacteria during infancy, breast milk or formula can play an active role in tooth decay, Pediatric Dentistry Specialist Dt. Nurgül Demir stated that tooth brushing should begin as soon as the first baby teeth appear in the mouth.

Addressing the questions frequently asked by parents, such as 'Which toothbrush should we choose for babies?' or 'What features should the toothbrushes we use for children have?' by looking at the variety of brands and products on the market, Demir highlighted the following:

“Brushing teeth during infancy is a responsibility that parents must ensure is maintained consistently. The cleaning heads of toothbrushes produced for babies are made of bristles or silicone.

Depending on the baby's oral structure, either soft/ultra-soft bristle toothbrushes or silicone finger brushes can be chosen; they can be used with a toothpaste of the type and amount recommended by a pediatric dentist, depending on the risk of decay. Silicone finger brushes can massage the gums in areas where new teeth are starting to emerge, providing relief and potentially helping to speed up the teething process and make it easier by increasing blood circulation.”

'THE TOOTHBRUSH MUST BE SUITABLE FOR THE ORAL STRUCTURE'

Pointing out that the situation parents should pay attention to is choosing a toothbrush head suitable for the child's age and oral structure, Dt. Nurgül Demir continued her words as follows:

"The brush head should have rounded edges to prevent possible gum injuries, the bristles should be soft and cleanable, and the handle should be chosen in a structure that the child can easily grip. Most of these features are available in toothbrushes produced for children on the market, and the recommended ages for use are usually indicated on children's toothbrushes."

WHEN SHOULD AN ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH BE USED?

Answering questions such as 'When should we start using an electric toothbrush? Is it suitable for children?', Dt. Nurgül Demir said, “Electric toothbrushes, which are thought to clean in a shorter time compared to manual toothbrushes, come to the fore with the idea that they can provide more effective tooth cleaning in children during a period when their manual dexterity is still developing, thanks to their tooth surface coverage and their sound and light designs.

However, the most important point to consider here is that in children who are just starting to get used to brushing their teeth, the child may cause trauma due to uncontrolled pressure applied with the rotating brush head or the rotating movement of the head itself. This situation can lead to serious injuries to the gums.

Especially in our patients who are in the mixed dentition period, where baby teeth are falling out and permanent teeth are starting to emerge, the gums are more sensitive. It would be a correct approach to take a break from the electric toothbrush during this period until the permanent teeth are fully in place. On the other hand, since the child cannot direct the rotating movement of the brush head and cannot predict the cleaning effect of the automatic brush movements, they may not be able to provide effective brushing and sufficient cleaning, even if they do not harm the gums.

This situation becomes even more important in pediatric patients who have malpositioned teeth or crowded, misaligned teeth due to lack of space. For this reason, electric toothbrushes should definitely be used under parental supervision in children.”

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSHES

1) From the moment the first baby teeth start to appear in infancy, teeth should be brushed twice a day with a toothbrush and toothpaste suitable for babies.

2) The toothbrush chosen for children should have a head size that is correct for the child's age and oral structure, have rounded corners, have soft and cleanable bristles, have a handle that the child can easily grip, and must be replaced every 3 months.

3) Children should be encouraged to develop the habit of brushing their teeth from an early age by allowing them to brush their own teeth, but effective tooth brushing must definitely be performed by parents.

4) Teeth should be brushed under the supervision of parents until the age of 8-10 on average, when children can start brushing their teeth with the correct technique and sufficient effectiveness.

5) Electric toothbrushes should be used under parental supervision until the period when permanent teeth are fully in place.