Baby toothbrushes, what types are there and how to use them
We give you recommendations on toothbrushes for babies, from what age to use and how to brush their teeth.
The dental hygiene is essential at any age , both for younger and for older people . In the case of babies it is also important that this hygiene is maintained, both with the gums at the beginning and with the teeth when they begin to emerge. And it is that during the first years, children are much more influenced, and if they begin to see the toothbrush as a friend that can only do them good, they will end up taking good routines and learning to brush their teeth on their own.
However, there may still be enough for that. If your baby is still small and does not know how to handle his toothbrush, you will have to be the one in charge of his oral hygiene, practically the same as you do with yours. It is from one year of age that different toothbrushes can be used, always adapting to the size and characteristics of the baby in question to try not to do any harm.
But what should the right toothbrush look like? Are there different brushes? Can you use an adult brush? The answer to this last question is quite simple: no, you cannot use the same brush that an adult would use, since a baby’s teeth do not have the same characteristics as those of an older person. The bristles could be too hard, and could end up damaging the baby’s mouth; In addition, it is probably too large and ends up damaging the gums. So no use of the same brush for an adult and for a baby!
The ideal toothbrush for a baby should have a small head , so that it can reach all possible areas of the mouth. In addition, it should be rounded , to fit even better in the mouth; the bristles must be synthetic, and be quite dense. It should not be excessively harsh, since you could end up exerting more force than necessary and end up damaging the baby’s gums unintentionally. Make sure that the handle is long enough so that you can hold it without any inconvenience, and remember that you must keep the brush as clean as yours, or even more.As a large number of bacteria could accumulate, and this could lead to an infection. His thing would also be to change it every three months so that it is always in good condition.
Silicone toothbrushes are ideal for babies. We can find in childcare stores and pharmacies a type that are teethers , and the only function they have is that the baby holds it by the handle, puts his head in his mouth and bites it. They do not have bristles, but rather silicone balls, which help to clean the teeth.
There are also finger toothbrushes. Instead of a handle, these are fitted on the index finger of an adult , and what we do is ourselves clean the baby’s mouth, without him or her having the risk of choking or hurting himself. The bristles are usually also made of silicone.
Index
DIFFERENT BRUSHES FOR DIFFERENT AGES
When the baby is smaller, and has around one or two years , brush your teeth you should use to keep your mouth hygiene should fit your age. The best thing is to go to the pharmacy, or to the supermarket, and look for suitable brushes to that age; These should be used without any type of toothpaste , since the baby is too young to calculate yet, and could end up eating it. These brushes should be used gently, after each meal, and always trying to make the baby see that they are something positive and that it does not hurt.
As you get older, and reach three or four , you can move on to another type of brush. In addition, the child can start using fluoridated toothpaste , although always in small quantities, and explaining that it should not be swallowed under any conditions. You will still have to help him maintain his hygiene, as he will be too young to do it himself, but you can begin to give him more and more independence.
From the age of five, the child can switch to a normal toothbrush with a smaller head, using the toothpaste that he likes best within those sold for children. These toothpastes have more pleasant flavors, making children want to go to the bathroom more than in any other situation.
As a general rule, brushing should last around two or three minutes , it should always be done in the same order and should be routine. In this way, the little ones will learn and will soon be able to do it on their own.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.
