Building a starter kit!

What makes brushing time overwhelming at home?

Is it the toothbrush? The toothpaste? Is it that your kiddo just doesn't open their mouth?

Or is it the worries of "Am I using the right tool"?

Everyone will eventually find the best combination for themselves and their kids, but let's give you some suggestions to start with! Don't forget to scroll to the bottom and see some "Ahhh-ha" suggestions for "Ahhh-ha" moments!

The Basics

Toothbrush

Toothbrushes are essential for oral home care. Choosing the right size could help you be successful from the very beginning. The ideal size is a one where you can't brush more than two teeth at a time. Manual toothbrushes are as good as electric toothbrushes when used correctly. However, if you're not confident how you're brushing or your kiddo insists that they do it themselves, an electric toothbrush could be your life-saver.

There's also another kind of toothbrush that's the "3-sided" toothbrush. It helps you brush all tooth surfaces at once, so you don't have to keep turning the brush to get every nook and cranny separately. This could be a helpful tool when your kiddo can't sit still long enough for you to brush for them.

Recommendations:

Kid's manual toothbrush

• Oral-B Kids Toothbrush (2 yr+)

• GUM Monsterz Children and Toddler Toothbrush (2 yr+)

• GUM Monsterz Jr Kids’ Toothbrush(5 yr+)

3-sided toothbrush

• XEYOW Three-Sided Soft Hair Tooth Toothbrush

• Three Sided Toothbrush Autism Sensory Toothbrush

Electric toothbrush

• Oral-B Kids Battery Power Electric Toothbrush Featuring Disney's Frozen

• Oral-B Kid's Battery Toothbrush Featuring Marvel's Spiderman

Electric 3 sided toothbrush

• Triple Bristle GO | Three-Sided Sonic Toothbrush

• Triple Bristle Kids Sonic Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Toothpaste flavor and foaming texture is one of the common challenges for children with hypersensitivity. Parents often choose to brush without toothpaste, however, this also leaves children unprotected by fluoride which is the main anti-cavity ingredient. Fluoridated toothpaste is one of the most critical factors for oral home care prevention. Children can start using fluoride toothpaste as soon as they have their first tooth. Children under 3 years old should use a smear/rice size, while those over 3 years old should use a pea size.

Recommendations:

Kid's fluoride toothpaste

• Crest Kid's Cavity Protection Toothpaste

Chocolate Flavored Fluoride Toothpaste

• Tanner's Tasty Paste Cha Cha Chocolate Flavored Fluoride Toothpaste

Unflavored Fluoride Toothpaste

• Dr. Bob Unflavored Toothpaste - no flavor, no foaming, but still has the benefit as a fluoride toothpaste!

Tartar control toothpaste- If you're bothered by the fast buildup on the teeth, try using the tartar control toothpaste.

• Crest Tartar Protection & Anticavity Toothpaste with Fluoride

Floss

While we all focus on brushing, flossing is essential to prevent cavities from developing in between the teeth. While children already refuse to brush, flossing could be even more challenging. "Technique sensitive" is the most common complaint we received from parents. In this case, why not try flosspicks? Some of them are even coated with fluoride and help you get fluoride protection everywhere!

Recommendations:

Fluoride coated flosspick

• GUM-897 Crayola Kids' Flossers, fluoride coated

Unflavored flosspick

• Dacon Kids Flossers, Ocean Animal shape

• Piico Unflavored Kids Floss

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Something Magical for the Ahhh-ha moments

The toothbrush is still too overwhelming? Brushing for your kiddo once a week is already a struggle?

Sponge toothbrush

Maybe we can try to start with something simplier. How about a sponge toothbrush?

Even though it's not as efficient in removing plaque in specific areas, it can still be helpful to remove most of the plaque, prevent gum inflammation, and bad breath. Dipping it in the fluoride mouthrinse could also help children get some fluoride exposure.

• Disposable oral swabs

Mouthrinse

For children that are able to swish and spit, fluoride mouthrinse is a good add-on for their oral home care routine. For children who aren't able to do so, dipping the toothbrush or the sponge toothbrush in fluoride mouthrinse could serve as an alternative on "bad days" when brushing seems impossible.

Recommendations:

• ACT Kids Anticavity Fluoride Rinse

  • Bubble Gum

  • Groovy Grape

  • Pineapple Punch

  • Wild Watermelon

Washcloths

Are you worried your child might swallow too much toothpaste? You can try to brush for them with fluoride toothpaste and wipe the toothpaste off with washcloths instead of swishing and spitting!

Recommendations:

• norinori Baby Msulin Washcloths 10"X10"

• Omilion Muslin Baby Washcloths 9"X9"

Mouth opener/mouth rest/ teething toy

" He doesn't open his mouth for me." "She's a biter." Do you know there might be a solution for this? Try the teething toys! They serve as a good tool to help children open their mouths to a certain extent when they bite on it, so you can brush for them without risking your own fingers.

Recommendations:

• Sensory Chew Toys for Autistic Children

• CANAY™ Hand-Held Sensory Chew Toys for Autistic Children

• Mgtfbg Baby Teething Toys

• Brushing Buddy - 2-in-1 Silicone Teether and Brushing

Was this helpful? If you'd like to know more about how to use the tools, reach out to us through our contact form or our instagram!

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