Kids Toothbrushes: How to Choose the Right One

1. Which toothbrush size is best for my child's age?

The size of your child's toothbrush counts a lot. The ideal toothbrush for your child has a small head, so you can reach the back of the mouth and the back teeth. A small head also lets you brush your child's tongue without making them gag.

For newborns, use a baby toothbrush for 0–2 years. Its small head helps you softly brush the gums, the inside of the cheeks and the tongue, where formula milk or breastmilk residue settles in the crevices. Good oral hygiene starts early.

We usually recommend upgrading to a 3–5 year toothbrush, which has a bigger head, once your child has all their milk teeth — around 2 to 3 years of age.

2. Soft or hard bristles for a child's toothbrush?

Always choose a toothbrush with soft bristles for your child. Look for filaments certified by a recognised medical seal, such as ADA Accepted, or by a certified standardised laboratory.

• Better brushing performance on small teeth
• Less trauma to your child's gums and enamel
• Bristles keep their shape longer, so you replace the brush less often

Look for a recognised quality seal

On the packaging, check for a quality mark such as the ADA Accepted seal. It tells you the bristles and head have been tested for safety and cleaning performance, rather than just designed to look appealing.

3. Which toothbrush handle design should I choose?

The grip is where all the fun comes in for your baby and child. Handles come in every form and shape: big or small, dinosaur or rounded, hollow or oversized, wooden or plastic — which gets confusing for parents and children alike.

I find oversized handles better, because they stop you or your child from pushing the brush too far into the mouth. A big handle also helps your baby or toddler train their fine motor skills and gives them a good start at becoming an independent brusher.

Pro tip: let your child help choose the toothbrush

Involving your child in choosing their toothbrush really helps. Let them pick the colour, or a favourite character on the handle. It makes brushing easier to instil, more fun, and a positive experience.

In short

Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles, a big handle and an age-appropriate head size. Whatever the shape, babies and toddlers chew a lot on their brushes — so replace the toothbrush whenever the bristles splay, or after your child has been ill. In practice, that is often every few weeks.