The following key factors need to be considered when choosing a children's toothbrush:
Bristle material: PBT or nylon materials are preferred. These materials are moderately soft and hard, have good elasticity, and are not easy to deform. Silicone and PP materials are not recommended because silicone has insufficient cleaning power and PP is easy to deform. The tip of the bristle must be rounded, with a rounding rate of ≥80% to avoid cutting the gums.
Bristle hardness: The bristles of children's toothbrushes should be soft, delicate, and smooth, with a monofilament diameter of no more than 0.18mm to avoid damage to children's gums. The hardness of the bristles is not the softer the better. Too soft bristles do not clean enough, and too hard bristles will irritate the gums.
Brush head size: Children's mouths are small, so the brush head should be small, no more than 2.9cm in length and no more than 1.1cm in width. For children of different ages, the choice of brush head is also different:
6 months to 2 years old: Use a finger toothbrush or a wide-handled soft-bristled toothbrush.
2 to 4 years old: Choose a small-headed soft-bristled toothbrush to cultivate the habit of brushing your teeth by yourself.
5 to 7 years old: Choose a toothbrush with slightly longer bristles at the end to better clean the teeth and mouth.
8 years old and above: Choose a toothbrush with cross bristles and end power bristles to clean the teeth and mouth more thoroughly.
Handle design: The short and thick non-slip handle is suitable for children to grasp and avoid slipping when brushing; if parents help brushing teeth, they can choose a slender handle for easy operation by adults.
Safety certification: Choose a toothbrush that meets national standards. The packaging should have GB30002-2013 and other logos to avoid buying three-no products.
Replacement frequency: Replace the toothbrush every 3 months. Once the bristles are found to be obviously worn, deformed or falling off, they should be replaced in time.