If you are considering an electric toothbrush, wait until your child is at least 3 years old. They’ll be able to handle the brush well on their own—and it’s a tool that will make brushing more fun. But just because their toothbrush is electric doesn’t mean grownups’ job is done, Erin Issac, DMD, Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, warns Verywell Family. “Parents should always supervise, and for kids under 6 to 7, parents should help with brushing,” she says. Other important features to look for are price, design, and material. We researched popular options from trusted brands with these features in mind. Here are the best electric toothbrushes for kids. The handle has a built-in, two-minute timer to help kids brush for the recommended length. It is compatible with other Oral-B brush heads, so you can opt for brushes that target other oral concerns if desired. It also has a soft grip, so it’s comfortable in your child’s hands. The bristles are super soft, and they rotate and oscillate to remove plaque effectively. As an added bonus, the brushes feature different popular cartoon characters and come with stickers, so your child can personalize their toothbrush to their liking. Timer: Yes | Battery Type: Rechargeable The four 30-second reminders to help kids to move throughout the mouth. Many parents of youngsters are pleasantly surprised at how easy to use this brush is to use and how much their little ones enjoy using it. Price at time of publication: $19 Timer: Yes | Battery Type: AAA This brush head has a tufted pattern, which is able to clean better around braces. It’s compatible with any Oral-B rechargeable handle, so if your child is already an electric toothbrush user, it’s an easy swap when they get braces. Price at time of publication: $12 Timer: No | Battery Type: Rechargeable Expert Notes: “Be sure kids aren’t pressing too hard, whether using a manual or electric brush, as that can damage their gums in the long run,” –Erin Issac DMD, Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine The brush lays flat for easy toothpaste application and it comes in many designs with a lot of kids’ favorite characters. Parents should be aware: These brushes don’t have an internal timer, so you’ll have to rely on your child to brush for the recommended two minutes. Price at time of publication: $20 Timer: No | Battery Type: AA Even if you don’t use the app, the toothbrush has a KidTimer, so it’ll brush for the recommended two minutes and has KidPacer alerts to remind your child to move through the four mouth quadrants. This brush comes in two colors and is packaged with a whole sticker pack, so kids can add some personalization to their special toothbrush. Price at time of publication: $30 Timer: Yes | Battery Type: Rechargeable We love that the travel cases allow kids to take their electric toothbrush with them for sleepovers, vacations, or anywhere else. Price at time of publication: $30 Timer: Yes | Battery Type: Rechargeable If you sign up for Quip’s refill plan, every three months, you’ll be shipped a new kids’ brush head, battery, and toothpaste. The stylish plastic handle is available in four colors: pink, purple, blue, or green and a two-minute timer is standard for this brush. Price at time of publication: $30 Timer: Yes | Battery Type: AAA The friendly-faced brush gets inserted into a child’s mouth. Your child then closes their mouth, presses a button, and all the bristles move at once for 30 seconds. This option may not get every bit of food out of hard-to-reach spots as well as other options, but it’s still good for kids who refuse to brush with a standard toothbrush. Price at time of publication: $129 Timer: Not Listed | Battery Type: Rechargeable
What to Look for When Buying a Kids Electric Toothbrush
Size
According to Dr. Issac, getting the correct size electric toothbrush is very important. She suggests purchasing one with a “small or compact head” that is appropriately sized for your child’s mouth. “Brushes with large heads not only encourage more chewing on bristles, but they also make it more difficult to reach all the way to the backs and corners of little mouths,” she says. If a child is not brushing their mouth correctly, it could lead to dental problems in the future, like cavities.
Timer
It’s hard for some adults to brush for a full two minutes, let alone little kids, which is why Dr. Issac recommends looking for an electric brush with a timer. Some parents and caregivers are unaware they should be brushing their child’s teeth for two minutes so that’s when a timer comes in handy to pass the time. Many electric toothbrushes feature music which act as a timer and can help facilitate brushing teeth for the appropriate amount of time. Once the music starts playing, they don’t stop brushing their teeth until the music stops. This helps make brushing teeth more fun and makes the time pass by more quickly.
Age-Appropriateness
Always look at the age recommendations on the toothbrush’s packaging, not only for size but also because younger kids may be more hesitant to use an electric toothbrush. “Around 3 is a good time to introduce electric toothbrushes,” explains Dr. Issac, “Oftentimes younger kids may not like the sound or vibrations.” To make the toothbrush a little more appealing, consider getting one with a favorite character on it.
Ease of Use
Younger kids will usually have an adult supervising and/or helping them to ensure they’re getting a thorough brush. However, once they’re able to brush all on their own, they need to use a toothbrush that is easy for them to work, hold, and navigate. Buying the right sized toothbrush will help make brushing easier as it should fit correctly and comfortably for their mouth. If the toothbrush is too large, they may have trouble reaching certain areas of their mouth, leaving behind any leftovers from the day and an opportunity for cavities to grow.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 6-year-old son, and 2-year old daughter. Her boys have been fans of electric toothbrushes for a long time (and she’s a fan of the two-minute timer). She thinks her daughter will join the electric toothbrush club soon. Additional reporting by Ashley Ziegler. Ashley Ziegler is a staff and freelance writer who covers lifestyle, home, parenting, and commerce content for a variety of platforms. She’s a mom to 1-year-old and 4-year-old daughters and an aunt to 3 nieces and 2 nephews ranging from 5 to 11 years old. In addition to regularly scouring the internet to find the best things for herself, Ashley spends multiple hours a week researching, comparing, and writing about products specifically for kids and families.
