Baby Toothbrush

Soft bristles
Because most children start to get their first teeth when they are around 4-7 months old, you'll want to choose a baby toothbrush with soft bristles that will provide a painless brushing experience. In general, baby toothbrush are available with various types of bristles, such as soft, medium, and hard. The packaging will usually indicate what kind of bristles that particular brush has, making it easy to find what you're looking for.
A brush with soft bristles works well for small children, as it's able to clean teeth effectively without irritating your child's sensitive gums. Bristles in an angular shape are more prone to fraying, so look for those that are more rounded, and avoid anything that promotes rubber bristles. This added “feature” doesn't actually provide any benefits.

Tiny brushes for tiny teeth
If you wouldn't dress your child in your clothes, you shouldn't use an adult-sized baby toothbrush on them, either. Young children have small mouths and tiny teeth, and require a brush that can fit comfortably between their back molars and cheek. Most baby toothbrush manufacturers offer brushes that are specifically made for infant oral care, with the appropriate age range listed on the packaging.

Easy handling
Before you know it, your child will be in the stage where they want to do everything on their own! You should continue to brush your baby's teeth until he or she is old enough to brush thoroughly without supervision, and then supervise the process until your child can rinse and spit without assistance. That usually happens around the time they start school, but it's helpful to let them “practice” brushing as soon as they show interest in it. A child doesn't fully develop the manual dexterity to brush without supervision until around age eight.

If you have a younger child who has expressed a desire to brush their own teeth, consider what type of handle their baby toothbrush has. Baby toothbrush come in a wide variety of handle shapes and sizes, and while there's no hard and fast rule about which you should pick, you'll definitely want to find one that is easy for your child to hold. Avoid any that are large or bulky. Handles that fit comfortably in your child's hand will give them more control while brushing, making the process more effective. A brush with a rubberized handle will help make gripping easier.

Electric baby toothbrushes
Electric baby toothbrushes remains a popular choice for children and adults alike. Although you can use an electric baby toothbrush for your child's first brush, be sure to follow the same guidelines we've outlined above: soft bristles, small head, and an easy-to-grip-handle. Many electric baby toothbrushes are designed with bulky handles, so look for one that has been designed specifically for children since they will often have slimmer handles. A fun feature of some electric baby toothbrushes is the built-in timer, which helps you and your Baby adhere to the recommended two-minute brushing session twice a day.

When to replace baby toothbrushes
Your child's first baby toothbrush won't be their last! In general, we recommend you replace your baby toothbrush every three months or so. There are times, however, when you may need to replace it more often. Some children are pretty hard on their baby toothbrush, wearing down the bristles sooner. If you notice that the bristles on your baby toothbrush look misshapen or frayed, it's time for a new one. Misshapen bristles can make cleaning less effective, and can also irritate sensitive gums.
We also recommend replacing your baby toothbrush if they get sick. Bacteria can collect on the handles and bristles, prolonging or spreading the illness. If your child has a cold or the flu, change their toothbrush at both the beginning and end of their illness. This will prevent any lingering bacteria from making them sick after they start getting better.