If you have ever had to convince your kids to brush their teeth, in the midst of all of their convincing that they don’t need to, the struggle can get downright frustrating. Having a tool in your arsenal that makes them want to brush their teeth would probably be an invaluable resource. Imagine getting your child excited about their dental care! Electric toothbrushes are that coveted tool.

1. Less Whining and More
Fun

2. If you have ever had to convince your kids
to brush their teeth, in the midst of all of
their convincing that they don’t need to,
the struggle can get downright frustrating.
Having a tool in your arsenal that makes
them want to brush their teeth would
probably be an invaluable resource.
Imagine getting your child excited about
their dental care! Electric toothbrushes
are that coveted tool.

3. According to the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention,
tooth decay and cavities are more
common in American children than
any other chronic infectious
diseases.
The American Academy of Pediatrics
has stated that electric toothbrushes
are the solution to ensuring your
kids are practicing good oral health.

4. In our office, children’s dentistry requires
us to use a completely different approach
than when we care for grown up teeth.
Children are naturally curious but also
quite intimidated by things that are new.
To help ensure your child’s dental
appointments go as smooth as possible,
proper brushing at home is the key.
And often, a special, fun toothbrush can
make all the difference.

5. Still not sure how a special
toothbrush can help with brushing
woes?
Here are some helpful things to
know about electric toothbrushes.

6. Helps Improve their Brushing
Electric toothbrushes have been shown to help children remove upElectric toothbrushes have been shown to help children remove up
to 41% more plaque from their teeth than cleaning with a regularto 41% more plaque from their teeth than cleaning with a regular
toothbrush alone (Vanderbilt University Psychology Department).toothbrush alone (Vanderbilt University Psychology Department).
The reason lies in kids ability, or lack of, to reach all of their teeth.The reason lies in kids ability, or lack of, to reach all of their teeth.
Experts at Vanderbilt go on to say that a 5 year old only reachesExperts at Vanderbilt go on to say that a 5 year old only reaches
about 25% of their tooth area and an 11 year old still only reachesabout 25% of their tooth area and an 11 year old still only reaches
about 50% of their tooth area.about 50% of their tooth area.
Electric toothbrushes give kids the movement and coordination toElectric toothbrushes give kids the movement and coordination to
focus more on moving the brush around and less on “just getting itfocus more on moving the brush around and less on “just getting it
done.”done.”

7. The Answer to Physical Limitations
There is a reason parents and caregivers are told to superviseThere is a reason parents and caregivers are told to supervise
children’s tooth brushing habits until they are 8 or so.children’s tooth brushing habits until they are 8 or so.
Young children simply do not have the fine motor skills required forYoung children simply do not have the fine motor skills required for
brushing their teeth effectively.brushing their teeth effectively.
And with children who are disabled, this may extend even beyond 8And with children who are disabled, this may extend even beyond 8
years old.years old.
Electric toothbrushes can be the guide that children need to brushElectric toothbrushes can be the guide that children need to brush
their teeth until they develop these essential skills.their teeth until they develop these essential skills.

8. Preparation for Dental Visits
Children can often be very intimidated by a visit to theChildren can often be very intimidated by a visit to the
dentist and they react by crying or throwing a tantrum.dentist and they react by crying or throwing a tantrum.
This makes it very difficult to properly exam their mouths,This makes it very difficult to properly exam their mouths,
let alone care for any decay that may be occurring.let alone care for any decay that may be occurring.
The University of Hawaii has come up with a solution thatThe University of Hawaii has come up with a solution that
works by imitating what happens at a dental visit.works by imitating what happens at a dental visit.
Electric toothbrushes simulate the sounds they may hear,Electric toothbrushes simulate the sounds they may hear,
so they may be less fearful when and if the time comes forso they may be less fearful when and if the time comes for
them to have any kind of dental work done.them to have any kind of dental work done.

9. Electric Toothbrushes are Fun
If you don’t see the fun in an electric toothbrush, you must not haveIf you don’t see the fun in an electric toothbrush, you must not have
seen the Spongebob Squarepants one or the Spiderman ones yet.seen the Spongebob Squarepants one or the Spiderman ones yet.
Or how about the ones that play music.Or how about the ones that play music.
The truth is, kids see brushing their teeth as a chore, as somethingThe truth is, kids see brushing their teeth as a chore, as something
that takes away from their playtime.that takes away from their playtime.
As much as parents can talk and even threaten them, nothing worksAs much as parents can talk and even threaten them, nothing works
as well as putting a positive spin on a boring chore.as well as putting a positive spin on a boring chore.
A fun toothbrush with their favorite character or favorite tuneA fun toothbrush with their favorite character or favorite tune
means they might actually look forward to brushing their teeth.means they might actually look forward to brushing their teeth.

10. Our approach to children’s dentistry focuses on
making children comfortable and helping them
understand the process.
If there is a tool that can make caring for their
teeth more enjoyable, then we highly
recommend it.
Electric toothbrushes encourage the proper
brushing techniques that can prevent major
dental problems.

11. So if getting your kids to brush their teeth has
been a struggle, try an electric toothbrush and
show them how much fun it can be.

12. Contact Us
• Mark C. Marchbanks, D.D.S.Mark C. Marchbanks, D.D.S.
• 2624 Matlock Road Suite 100, Arlington, TX 760152624 Matlock Road Suite 100, Arlington, TX 76015
• Phone: (817) 261-2747Phone: (817) 261-2747
• http://arlingtontexasdentist.net/http://arlingtontexasdentist.net/