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For kids who don't enjoy brushing their teeth, electric toothbrushes can take away the manual labor and make the process more fun. "Kids' manual dexterity is not fully developed until they are older, so it is difficult for young children to be able to brush properly," says dentistry practitioner Camile Little, D.D.S. While the American Dental Association (ADA) says "both manual and powered toothbrushes are effective at removing plaque," Dr. Little explains that electric toothbrushes can remove more plaque and food debris than manual toothbrushes might, and (perhaps most helpful of all) the built-in two-minute timers help ensure kids brush long enough.
Electric toothbrushes are also an easy solution for when challenges like braces get in the way — a helpful benefit for teenagers. "Brackets, elastics, and wires can make brushing a little tricky, and inadequate brushing while wearing braces can result in tooth decay or gum tissue inflammation," says board certified pediatric dentist Mallory Marquie, D.D.S. She says that's why electric toothbrushes are a no-brainer for kids and teens, as they can be extremely helpful in keeping these issues at bay.
At what age can a child use an electric toothbrush?
Both Dr. Little and Dr. Marquie say that children can start at 3 years old, with adult supervision and after consulting with a trusted dentist. "Kids can brush their gums too hard that can cause sore spots or gum recession," explains Dr. Little, "so it's helpful to have an adult around to prevent that." But to this point, Dr. Marquie adds that fortunately, a lot of electric toothbrushes include a pressure sensor that alerts the user if they're brushing too aggressively.
Also, you don't have to fret about getting an electric toothbrush specifically marketed to kids. "Kids can use the same toothbrush as adults, they're virtually the same," says Michael De Poto, D.D.S. of Allwood Family Dentistry. He adds that kids' toothbrushes just happen to be smaller, which might better fit in kids' mouths, and usually feature fun and inviting designs.
The Good Housekeeping Institute has evaluated electric toothbrushes throughout the years, looking at factors like performance, ease of use, durability, and customer satisfaction. "Some things we consider are battery life, or the simple notion of comfort, taking the head on or off, or how easy it is to clean the toothbrush," says GH Institute Chief Technologist, Rachel Rothman. See below for the best electric toothbrushes for kids from reputable brands like Oral-B, Philips and Colgate, as recommended by dentists or handpicked by GH pros. Some come with interactive coaching apps and built-in timers, and all come in bright colors or popular character styles for a more enjoyable (and less challenging) nighttime routine.
Best Overall Electric Toothbrush for Kids
Philips Sonicare Power Toothbrush for Kids
Best Overall Electric Toothbrush for Kids
Philips Sonicare Power Toothbrush for Kids
Now 14% Off
Pros
Highly recommended by dentists- Ages 4+
Cons
Dentists recommend this Philips Sonicare toothbrush — even Dr. Little's daughter uses it! Dr. Marquie loves the fact that the toothbrush is compatible with both a compact and standard size brush head, making it an ideal choice for growing kids. "It evenlinks to a fun andinstructional app, which logs the user’s brushing performance, explains proper brushing techniques, and lets kidsearn rewards as they improve their brushing routines," she says.
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Best Value Electric Toothbrush for Kids
Colgate Kids' Battery-Powered Toothbrush
Best Value Electric Toothbrush for Kids
Colgate Kids' Battery-Powered Toothbrush
Pros
- Suctioned bottom to prevent falls
- Gentle, though some reviewers wish it were a little softer
- Ages 5+
Cons
Over 4,000 Amazon reviewers gave this toothbrush a perfect five-star rating — "Ibought two packs because they are such a great price," says one reviewer. "They suction right to the counter, have super soft brush bristles, and are just adorable." The brand says the toothbrush lays completely flat for easy toothpaste application.
Best Electric Toothbrush for Younger Kids
Arm & Hammer Kid’s Spinbrush Powered Toothbrush
Best Electric Toothbrush for Younger Kids
Arm & Hammer Kid’s Spinbrush Powered Toothbrush
Pros
- Gentle on teeth
- Ages 3+
Cons
OrthodontistJamie Reynolds, D.D.S,recommends this Spinbrush by Arm & Hammer, which comes in fun themes like Spider-Man, Super Mario, and JoJo Siwa. It's not as intense and powerful as sonic models, but he says that it's still a solid choice for improving little kids' brushing technique. Online reviewers note that the Spinbrush is easy to hold and turn on and off.
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Best Electric Toothbrush for Older Kids and Teenagers
Oral-B 1000 CrossAction Electric Toothbrush
Best Electric Toothbrush for Older Kids and Teenagers
Oral-B 1000 CrossAction Electric Toothbrush
Pros
- Optimal for braces
- Ages 3+
Cons
"When my tween kids got braces, their orthodontists recommended Oral-Belectric toothbrushes for proper cleaning," says Beauty Lab Director Birnur Aral. Dr. De Poto agrees: "For braces, weusually recommend toothbrushes from Oral-B as they spin instead of going back and forth and have certain attachments that can go around the wires,"he says.
Best Smart Electric Toothbrush for Kids
BriteBrush Interactive Smart Kids Toothbrush
Best Smart Electric Toothbrush for Kids
BriteBrush Interactive Smart Kids Toothbrush
Now 25% Off
Pros
- Preloaded with locked games for motivation
- Ages 5+
Cons
This interactive toothbrush is loved by Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute, RachelRothman's kids, whichcomes in fun character styles, including the ever-popularBaby Shark. We love that it features smart sensors and side change recognition for an uncomplicated brushing process.The toothbrush set includesseven fun games, plus a tutorial brushing mode.
Best Subscription Electric Toothbrush for Kids
quip Kids' Electric Toothbrush Starter Set
Best Subscription Electric Toothbrush for Kids
quip Kids' Electric Toothbrush Starter Set
Pros
- Includes refill option for brush head and batteries
- Ages 3+
Cons
- Difficult to find all accessories in store
"This toothbrush is extremely popular among my patients and isperfect for families that are just starting to dip their toes in the water with electric toothbrushes," says Dr. Marquie. She loves that it comes in fun colors andincludes a built-in timer to take the guesswork out of how long to brush. "It's also fabricated with a small brush head, great for accessing difficult-to-reach areas on primary and permanent teeth," she adds.
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Best Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush for Kids
Oral-B Electric Toothbrush Featuring Disney's Frozen
Best Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush for Kids
Oral-B Electric Toothbrush Featuring Disney's Frozen
Now 14% Off
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Ages 3+
Cons
- Loud motor
Oral-B is a household name when it comes to oral hygiene products, so it's no surprise to see that this toothbrush is a best-seller with a cult following on Amazon. The rechargeable toothbrush features a two-minute timer, and the handle is compatible with a variety of Oral-B brush heads.Note that a fewonline reviewers report that the toothbrush seems to be just as powerful as the adult version, so it might be better for older kids, despite being marketed otherwise.
What to consider when shopping for kids' electric toothbrushes
Here is what to look out for when purchasing a new electric toothbrush for kids:
- Two-minute timers: This is the essential amount of time required for brushing, according to the ADA. "Some [brushes] even prompt kids to move between sections of the mouth for optimal cleaning," explains Dr. Marquie. "These features ensure that all surfaces of the teeth are getting equal and proper attention for the appropriate amount of time."
- Pressure sensors: Special lights can alert the user if they are brushing too aggressively — this is why adult supervision is emphasized until around age 8 to ensure safe, proper cleaning, says Dr. Marquie.
- A handle that can be operated by kids: It also helps to have a long handle that provides space for an adult to help guide and maneuver the brush when assisting.
- Coaching apps: "These make brushing a lot more fun for my two kids," says GH Style Director Lori Bergamotto. Dr. De Poto says some toothbrushes like Oral-B come with instructional apps that make sure kids are brushing properly in all the right places.
Shanon Maglente
Shanon is a writer and editor who specializes in best-of product roundups and deals. She has over six years of experience, including almost three years as a Good Housekeeping product and reviews editor, covering the best sales and products across home, appliances, health, beauty, parenting and more.
