Kids electric toothbrush: ages, brush heads and CDC brushing tips
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- Philips Sonicare For Kids electric toothbrush. Best for: Children who like app coaching. See options on Amazon
- Sonicare For Kids compact replacement heads. Best for: Ages 3 and up. See options on Amazon
- Kids fluoride toothpaste. Best for: Twice-daily brushing. See options on Amazon
Does an electric toothbrush help?
A Cochrane review compared powered and manual toothbrushes in everyday use by people of any age, including children. It included 56 trials, with 51 trials and 4624 participants in the meta-analysis. There was moderate quality evidence that powered brushes reduced plaque more: an 11% reduction in the short term (one to three months) and 21% in the long term. Gingivitis (gum inflammation) also dropped by 6% short term and 11% long term.
These are averages across ages and brush types, and most trials were at unclear risk of bias. For a child who brushes too quickly or misses spots, an electric brush with a timer may help, but twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste is the core habit.
CDC brushing tips by age
| Age | What the CDC advises | Toothbrush notes |
|---|---|---|
| When teeth come in | Brush twice a day with plain water; ask your doctor or dentist about fluoride toothpaste for children younger than 2 | A soft, small-bristled toothbrush |
| Children | Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, using a pea-sized amount, and spit it out | A kids' electric brush is an option once a child can use it |
| Younger than 6 | Watch them brush, and help until they have good brushing skills | Stay with them even with an electric brush |
Details are from the CDC's oral health tips for children.
Choosing a kids electric toothbrush
- Age-sized brush heads. Philips sells Sonicare For Kids compact heads for ages 3 and up and standard heads for ages 7 and up. Pick the head size for your child's age and mouth.
- Soft bristles. The CDC recommends a soft toothbrush when teeth first come in; soft bristles are gentle on young gums.
- Modes. Philips lists 2 modes on its Sonicare For Kids brush; a gentler mode can help a child get used to the feel.
- Coaching apps. Philips says its kids' brush has built-in Bluetooth and a coaching app with animations and rewards. Helpful for some children, optional for others.
- Replacement heads. Buy heads that fit the exact handle model.
For adult brushes and features, see our electric toothbrush guide.
Helping kids brush well
- Brush twice a day, morning and before bed, as the CDC advises.
- Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, and teach your child to spit it out rather than swallow.
- Guide the brush to each tooth and along the gumline; let the electric brush do the scrubbing.
- Help your child until they have good brushing skills, and watch children younger than 6.
- Make it routine: same time, same place, and a timer or song to reach a full brushing.
For flossing as teeth start to touch, see our dental floss guide.
Dentist visits, fluoride varnish and sealants
The CDC says to visit the dentist by your baby's first birthday to spot signs of problems early. It suggests talking to your dentist or doctor about fluoride varnish as soon as the first tooth appears, noting that fluoride varnish can prevent one-third (33%) of cavities in baby teeth. It also recommends asking about dental sealants when appropriate, since sealants on the back teeth prevent 80% of cavities.
Cavities are common: the CDC says more than half of children aged 6 to 8 years have had a cavity in at least one baby tooth.
Safety and care
- Stay with young children while they use an electric brush, and do not let them walk or run with it in their mouth.
- Charge the handle away from water and out of a small child's reach, following the maker's instructions.
- Rinse the head after each use and let it air dry upright.
- Replace the head when bristles splay, or after illness.
- Stop and check with a dentist if your child's gums bleed often or teeth hurt when brushing.
For teething babies, see our teething gel guide.
What to look for when you buy
Philips Sonicare For Kids electric toothbrush
Best for: Children who like app coaching
Philips lists 2 modes, built-in Bluetooth and a coaching app, with heads for ages 3 and up and 7 and up.
Watch out: Supervise children younger than 6, per the CDC.
See options on AmazonSonicare For Kids compact replacement heads
Best for: Ages 3 and up
Philips labels its compact kids' heads for ages 3 and up.
Watch out: Check the heads fit your handle model.
See options on AmazonKids fluoride toothpaste
Best for: Twice-daily brushing
The CDC says children should brush twice a day with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Watch out: Ask your doctor or dentist before using fluoride toothpaste under age 2.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Are electric toothbrushes good for kids?
- A Cochrane review found powered brushes reduced plaque more than manual brushes, in trials of children and adults.
- What age can a child use an electric toothbrush?
- Philips sells kids' heads for ages 3 and up; supervise children younger than 6, per the CDC.
- How much toothpaste should kids use?
- The CDC says a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, spit out rather than swallowed.
- When should my child first see a dentist?
- By your baby's first birthday, the CDC says.
- Do kids need help brushing?
- Yes. The CDC says help until they have good brushing skills and watch children younger than 6.
Sources
- Oral Health Tips for Children (cdc.gov), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Powered versus manual toothbrushing for oral health (Cochrane review, 2014) (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (PubMed 24934383)
- Sonicare For Kids Sonic electric toothbrush HX6321/02 (usa.philips.com), Philips