Toothbrushing is a chore with my 3 year old son. He does have a bit of autism, but I am pretty sure that he doesn't have oral sensitivity. I just think he is being a pita; he actually gets really silly during toothbrushing and wants to run around with the brush in his mouth. I noticed that he does have some gingivitis. Has anyone ever used an electric toothbrush with a 3 year old or are they too young? My husband uses one, and we thought that maybe our son would like to use one too. Any recommends on a brand? My husband uses an Oral B with replaceable heads, but we were thinking that they could brush at the same time so that one is not an option for our son.
We just started using an electric toothbrush with my four and almost three year old. he loves it and it does clean his teeth with alot less hassle. They have some kid ones now with characters on them.
My dentist actually recommended using the electric tooth brush. It cleans more space in a smaller time and it is not harmful to kids.
My kids (6 and 3) just got electric toothbrushes. They see me and my hubby using them, and wanted their own. They love them..it seems like more fun for them. My older one is actually asking me if she can brush her teeth now
My youngest would not allow me to brush his teeth, we actually purchased elec. toothbrush and then I follow behind him with a reg. toddler toothbrush. I know it is alot of work but this is the only way to get er' done! LOL! Your son will definetly enjoy the elec. toothbrush.
HI J.,
I just saw some electric ones for younger kids at Meijer that play songs geared for this age such as Lion King songs.(You brush until the song is over.) What I like about this particular type is that the brush itself is not nearly as big as some of the other ones I've seen marketed for younger kids. (We tried electric ones when my twins were around 4, but the brush just seemed to big for me or them to really move it around in their mouths. I've seen this brand at Target and Walmart too, but I've only recently noticed the smaller brush option at Meijer. (Maybe they all carry both sizes now.)
I don't know what the brand name is, but I think they run around ten dollars and the ones I saw had Lion King characters on it.)
I would purchase one of those aimed at kids. I know Colgate makes some, in characters that kids like. They have smaller heads And no as powerful. They also run around $5 or $6 so you wouldn't lose too much. I bought for mine at 4 yrs.
Kids usually enjoy the electric toothbrushes as long as your son doesn't have any sensory processing concerns. I would probably get one that wasn't too expensive to see if this works with him. Picking it out himself and picking out the toothpaste, too, may help in gearing him up for good hygiene. Oral-B has some Disney themed ones; Colgate looks like they have more Universal Studio characters. There are also those tablets that kids chew and dissolve in their mouths that will indicate any remaining plaque on their teeth. Not really something you want to use every night but it may help a few nights out of the week until a good brushing regime is in place.
Has he been to a dentist? If not, I would bring him and address the gingivitis.
