E is for Electric Toothbrushes
There’s a lot of buzz around electric toothbrushes lately. With so many options out there, it's natural to wonder which one is the best. Are they suitable for kids? And what about those unusual U-shaped toothbrushes I keep seeing ads for on Facebook?
Let me begin by emphasizing that the best oral care products are the ones your child enjoys using. However, if they need help improving their brushing habits, a good electric toothbrush might just be the solution.
What is Dr. Pete’s Pick?
Dr. Pete tested around 10 different electric toothbrushes, ranging in price from $8 to $300, and he's found a favorite. The BURSTkids Sonic Toothbrush (retails for $29.99 with promo code ZPTLGF) utilizes 31,000 ultrasonic vibrations per minute to effectively remove plaque from teeth. He discovered that cheaper toothbrushes with fewer vibrations were less effective, while more expensive brushes performed similarly to the BURSTkids brush. At $30, the BURSTkids Sonic Toothbrush is a highly recommended tool at an affordable price.
Favorite Features:
The BURSTkids Sonic Toothbrush has a single button, which turns it on and starts a two minute timer. After two minutes is up, the toothbrush will automatically turn off. Every 30 seconds, the toothbrush pulses in your hand, providing haptic feedback to let you know it’s time to brush in a new quadrant of the mouth. Dr. Pete recommends breaking the 30 seconds down into three 10 seconds intervals. Spend 10 seconds on each: cheek, biting surface, and tongue side of the teeth for thorough cleaning and quicker brushing, this is especially helpful for kids who rush.
The BURSTkids Sonic Toothbrush has an internal battery that lasts roughly 4 weeks (for twice daily brushers). A red light after brushing lets you know that the battery is running low, and an overnight charge repowers your brush for another 4 weeks.
The BURSTkids Sonic Toothbrush is water resistant. Kids can brush in the bathtub (maybe don’t test it as a sonic submarine) or the shower, and you don’t have to worry about it malfunctioning.
Burst Oral Care has excellent customer service. If for some reason it does stop working, Burst Oral Care offers a lifetime warranty, so long as you subscribe to their toothbrush head replacement program, which automatically sends you a new toothbrush head every 3 months (when you should replace it anyway).
When Should Kids Start Using an Electric Toothbrush?
Electric toothbrushes are an excellent choice for children aged 3 and up. For ages 3 to 10, the BURSTkids brush is recommended, while the adult-sized BURST Original Sonic Toothbrush (retailing for $39.99 with promo code ZPTLGF) may offer better value for ages 10 and above. The primary distinction lies in the size of the toothbrush head, with the original being approximately twice the size of the kids' version.
What About the Weird U-Shaped Toothbrushes I’ve Seen on Facebook?
A brand named AutoBrush offers a U-shaped toothbrush claiming to be 27x more effective than competitors, completing brushing in just 30 seconds. However, a promotional video featuring a child with cavities brushing with this toothbrush raised concerns. Dr. Pete investigated further, finding clinical studies on the AutoBrush website funded and conducted by its CEO, indicating bias. Independent research suggests U-shaped toothbrushes are ineffective at plaque removal. While Dr. Pete has not tried the AutoBrush, he does not recommend weird U-shaped toothbrushes.
Want to Learn More About Electric Toothbrushes for your Kids?
Schedule a visit with Dr. Pete here!
Good Life Smiles blog content is for educational and entertainment purposes and should never substitute for informed dental or medical advice from your pediatric dentist and pediatrician.