Walk along a supermarket aisle and you will be faced with a huge array of oral hygiene products, including toothbrushes for young children.

Are you putting money on the most suitable toothbrush that matches your child’s needs? Did you know that using an inappropriate toothbrush can cause more harm than good?

Tiny mouths with tender gums and milk teeth require special care to make sure kids grow up with a sparkling set of pearly whites.

Using a hard toothbrush and brushing too vigorously can be detrimental on gums, so soft bristles are always preferred. What’s more, don’t think that a bigger toothbrush can do a more efficient job because in fact, a brush with a big head will not be able to reach the back corners of the mouth.

“When my daughter was about a year old, I felt that the toothbrush I bought for her was too big. The hard toothbrush handle was also uncomfortable in her small mouth, so sometimes I will resort to just using a handkerchief to clean her teeth and gums instead of a toothbrush,” shared a mother, Mdm Chee.

To meet the specific needs that your child’s age and development demand, Oral-B’s range of Stages® toothbrushes are specially designed for children from 4 months until 8+ years old.

Find out more about the Oral-B Stages kids range.

Stage1: 4-24 months

First teeth, first solid foods – it can be an exciting time! But even before that, a toothbrush is still necessary to help keep baby’s gums clean. With its baby-soft bristles and cushioned head, Oral-B Stage 1 toothbrush is designed to make your tiny tot’s very first toothbrushing routine a gentle one.

Features:

• Baby-soft bristles: Gently cleans and massages baby’s teeth and tender gums.
• Cushioned head: Designed to help protect tender gums.
• Non-slip handle: Designed to help parents brush baby’s teeth and gums.
• Disney Baby characters: Helps make brushing fun.

Stage2: 2-4 years

Typically, baby teeth grow until the age of four. Because their mouths are small and their hands unsteady, it’s important to choose a brush just for them. Make brushing time fun with a toothbrush in your child’s favourite Disney character, while letting them gradually experience brushing by themselves without Mummy’s or Daddy’s help.

Features:

• Cushioned head: Designed to help protect tender gums
• Narrow brush head: Made to fit kids’ small mouths
• Power Tip™ bristles: Longer bristles at the tip to help clean hard-to-reach back teeth in kids’ mouths
• Easy-to-hold handle: Fashioned to help kids learn to brush

Stage3: 5-7 years

When baby teeth start to make way for a permanent set of molars, it’s time to invest in a more ‘grown-up’ toothbrush. Teach them the proper techniques using a toothbrush specifically designed for the purpose, thereby instilling the habit of regular brushing.

Features:

• Cushioned head with Tongue Cleaner: Uniquely designed to help protect tender gums & clean the tongue
• Cup-shaped bristles: Fashioned to surround and clean teeth
• Tapered head: Shaped to help kids reach their back teeth
• Power Tip® bristles: Extra-long bristles to help brush hard-to-reach areas
• Big, soft grip: Formed for hands still learning to brush

Stage4: 8+ years

Kids 8 years old and up have first teeth, permanent teeth, and gaps. It’s important for them to brush thoroughly, but all this change can make for tender gums. With combination bristles, the stages 4 toothbrush can help.

Features:

• Cushioned head with Tongue Cleaner: Uniquely designed to help protect tender gums & clean the tongue
• CrissCross® bristles: Angled in opposing directions to reach between teeth
• Flared bristles: Shaped to massage gums in gaps between teeth
• Power Tip- bristles: Extra-long to help kids reach their back teeth
• Adult-like handle: Tailored to fit kids’ hands

Manual vs Electric?

For parents who have difficulty getting fussy kids to brush their teeth daily, an electric toothbrush may be your solution. A battery-powered toothbrush is also great for children that are less dexterous with handling a manual one.

Kids will love the fun of Oral-B Pro-Health Stages Power Toothbrush, and you’ll love the clean. Suitable for children 5 years and up, it’s an advanced brush with the benefits of battery power.

Pique your child’s interest in brushing with a wide variety of Disney character toothbrushes. Up the fun level, while encouraging children to brush their teeth longer, with the FREE Disney Magic Timer™ app by Oral-B. Simply unlock the fun by scanning your Oral-B Pro-Health Stages product and let your child win prizes each time he or she brushes.

Download the app here.

Oral-B Stages Power (5+ years) features:

• Rotating PowerHead™: Action that reaches, surrounds, and cleans multiple surfaces for a thorough clean
• Raised center-row bristles: Positioned to clean chewing surfaces
• Interdental tips: Longer to get between teeth
• Extra-soft bristles: Soft bristles for a gentle cleaning
• Makes brushing fun with Disney characters