Electric toothbrushes and toddlers...why not?

[pavlovthecat]

Any reason why not?

DD, aged 2.5 got hold of my electric toothbrush, turned it on, and brushed her teeth more thoroughly than she has ever done! She loved it, copied DH and I! So, seeing as I have a spare head for it...

what are the reasons for her not using one?

[NAB09]

I read somewhere not for under 3's.

[pavlovthecat]

yes, I thought I had read it some-where too, but cant find anything (not tried too hard tbh, what with the oracle at my fingertips/toddler to put to bed/mning) that suggests why not, so not sure if I imagined it, what the reasons are? And if not before 3, would 6 months really make a difference? Better than a fight each day isn't it?

[rookiemater]

Well DS has been using a childs electric toothbrush for at least 9 months. Can't see what the problem is.

[SheSellsSeashellsByTheSeashore]

DD1 has a toothbrush that plays music to her while she uses it. She loves it. Maybe that might be better?

[pavlovthecat]

rookie - that is what we are thinking, its a soft enough bristle, and of course we are supervising her/doing it for her once finished, I just wondered if there was some health issue, rather than the product company covering their backs re: small parts. If you can get a child's one, even better, I will go take a look.

Shesellsseashells - I think, tbh, the enjoyment for her is that she is doing what mummy and daddy are doing, that is why she picked it up, as she is fascinated, she has the potential to get bored with a musical one...

[Seona1973]

my 2 year old has a power rangers battery operated one and dd had one from a similar age. They have soft bristles so I dont see what harm they could do as long as they are supervised while they are being used. Babycentre says they are ok (but not from what age)

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/toddler/caringfor/electrictoothbrushexpert/ Is it a good idea to use an electric toothbrush on my toddler's teeth?

[Seona1973]

Is it a good idea to use an electric toothbrush on my toddler's teeth?

[pavlovthecat]

thanks for that link Seona, I will let her use one then!

[gremlindolphin]

Funnily enough we went to the dentist earlier and I asked him just this - his response was that electric toothbrushes are not recommended for young children as they stop them developing the motor skills to brush properly on their own which is more important as they get older.

I've always avoided them anyway so was pleased with this answer.