Is It Ok to Use a U-Shaped Toothbrush With Loose Teeth?A U-shaped toothbrush is a type of electric toothbrush that has gotten increasingly popular in recent years. Instead of a traditional brush head, a U-shaped brush fits in your child's mouth like a mouth guard, and has bristles on the top and bottom that vibrate and clean all the teeth at once. Keep reading to learn more about U-shaped toothbrushes and find out if they are right for your child.

Are Electric Toothbrushes Safe For Children?

Electric toothbrushes, including U-shaped “autobrushes,” are generally safe for children over the age of three. In fact, you have probably seen a variety of electric toothbrushes on the market that are specifically designed for children. We recommend using a manual, toddler-sized toothbrush to brush your child's teeth until they are at least three years old. After age three, your child can use an electric toothbrush designed for children, including a U-shaped toothbrush. However, you should supervise your child while they brush until they are old enough to brush thoroughly on their own.

What About Children Who Are Losing Teeth?

You may be wondering if the vibrations of an electric toothbrush will cause your child's loose teeth to come out before they are ready. In general, electric toothbrushes designed for children are gentle and should not loosen teeth. If you are worried, your child can use a manual toothbrush to clean their loose tooth and use an electric toothbrush for the rest of their mouth. Gentle brushing with a manual toothbrush can also help encourage a stubborn loose tooth to come out. Your child should never use their electric toothbrush to try to force out a loose tooth before it is ready.

Is A U-Shaped Toothbrush Right For My Child?

Electric toothbrushes in general, and U-shaped brushes specifically, can be a great option for children who struggle to brush their teeth effectively. The vibrations, fun colors, lights, character designs, and even music featured on many U-shaped toothbrushes for children can make brushing fun, and actually make your child look forward to their twice-daily oral hygiene routine. But if your child already brushes their teeth thoroughly with a manual toothbrush, there is probably no need to switch to a more expensive U-shaped brush. Look forward to our cooperation