In India, there is an urgent need to take oral hygiene more seriously. Also, we need to educate and build awareness among kids about the correct ways of oral care and the importance of maintaining good oral health from a young age. come as a surprise when most Indian households choose the same kind of toothbrush for their child that an adult would use. However, toothbrushes aren’t a one size fits all. Just like a child can’t consume adult size portion of a meal, they can’t accommodate an adult toothbrush and clean their teeth equally well. Other than this, a child’s mouth, including teeth, gums, and tongue, is much tenderer than an adult’s.
Below are some of the main reasons why children should use toothbrushes specially cured for them: –
1. A child’s mouth is smaller compared to an adult’s. Parents should choose a toothbrush that fits comfortably in a child’s mouth so that the head of the toothbrush can reach all the areas of the mouth effectively.
2. The choice of brush bristles makes a considerable difference to the health of the gums and the oral mucosa. Hard bristles may damage the inner layers of a child’s mouth. Therefore, choose toothbrushes with soft, round-ended, polished bristles that clean well while being gentle on the child’s delicate gums.
3. Even the size and design of the handle should be such that the child can grip the toothbrush comfortably for easy manoeuvring. Choose a toothbrush designed for a child’s smaller hands. Kids’ toothbrushes with large handles help children control the toothbrush better. A child-friendly toothbrush with lights, music, or their even favorite cartoon characters engraved on the handle can make brushing a fun experience for the kids. Such design elements are not usually found in adult toothbrushes. The idea is to motivate the kids to adopt brushing, enjoy the activity, and brush for at least two minutes, which is the recommended duration for brushing.
Below are some of the main reasons why children should use toothbrushes specially cured for them: –
1. A child’s mouth is smaller compared to an adult’s. Parents should choose a toothbrush that fits comfortably in a child’s mouth so that the head of the toothbrush can reach all the areas of the mouth effectively.
2. The choice of brush bristles makes a considerable difference to the health of the gums and the oral mucosa. Hard bristles may damage the inner layers of a child’s mouth. Therefore, choose toothbrushes with soft, round-ended, polished bristles that clean well while being gentle on the child’s delicate gums.
3. Even the size and design of the handle should be such that the child can grip the toothbrush comfortably for easy manoeuvring. Choose a toothbrush designed for a child’s smaller hands. Kids’ toothbrushes with large handles help children control the toothbrush better. A child-friendly toothbrush with lights, music, or their even favorite cartoon characters engraved on the handle can make brushing a fun experience for the kids. Such design elements are not usually found in adult toothbrushes. The idea is to motivate the kids to adopt brushing, enjoy the activity, and brush for at least two minutes, which is the recommended duration for brushing.
Also, parents should discard a toothbrush after three months or once the bristles start fraying. Bristle quality is critical because frayed bristles can harm the child’s gums and are ineffective for cleaning teeth.
– Dr Rajeev Chitguppi, Head of Research & Innovations, ICPA Health Products Ltd.