ELECTRIC BRUSHES FOR SPECIAL CHILDREN

Feeling the Difference in Plaque Removal

According to a 2005 independent study, “Brushes that worked with a rotation oscillation action removed more plaque and reduced gingivitis more effectively than manual brushes in the short and long-term… No other powered brush designs were consistently superior…”2 Oral-B pioneered this oscillating-rotating power technology in 1991 and has incorporated it into its premium power toothbrush range ever since. Recently it has also incorporated this technology into lower cost options, like Oral-B Vitality.
Assessing Technology and Features

Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush: Generally rich in technology and features, electric toothbrushes provide the many oral health benefits. Some can even enable you to improve your brushing habits. Hi-tech features include:
Numerous brushing modes specialized for sensitive teeth, whitening benefits or gum-massaging action
Pressure sensors to signal when you’re brushing too hard
Timers to help you keep track of how long you’re brushing each quadrant of your mouth
Digital reminders to replace your brush head
Oscillating-rotating or sonic technology
Multiple brush head compatibility so you can choose which kind of bristle design you prefer
Most electric toothbrushes also come with features for added convenience, like a brush head or toothbrush holder, bathroom-counter storage units and travel toothbrush chargers.
Regular Manual Toothbrush: While ordinary toothbrushes don’t nearly provide the benefits and features of rechargeable electric toothbrushes, the technology featured in their brush heads, bristles and handle designs can be quite advanced, for example:
Crisscrossed, extra-long or multi-level bristles
Polished or rounded bristle tips
Textured bristles
Cupped-bristle design for whitening benefits
Ergonomically designed handles with special grips
Tapered or angled brush head
Gum stimulators
Tongue cleaner pads
Battery Power Toothbrush: While similar in features to regular manual toothbrushes, these kinds of toothbrushes also vibrate to provide additional cleaning action. In addition to those of manual toothbrushes, features include:
Built-in AA battery that can be replaced in some models
“On/Off” or “+/-“ button located on the handle
Bristles or split brush heads specially designed to pulsate along with the vibrations
Modifying Brushing Technique

Proper brushing technique varies when using different kinds of toothbrushes. Both regular manual toothbrushes and battery power toothbrushes require you to provide all or most of the brushing action, moving the brush back and forth along all sides of your teeth and gums. In contrast, rechargeable electric toothbrushes provide the cleaning action while you need only guide it along all surfaces. Once they get the hang of it, many people find this method of brushing easier.
Understanding Power Toothbrush Value

Rechargeable electric toothbrushes tend to have a higher price value than battery power and regular manual toothbrushes, but you can find some for as low as $22 MSRP, like Oral-B® Vitality. Keep in mind that they offer more health benefits and features. Regular manual toothbrushes cost the least, and they are often sold in multi-packs as well as individually. Battery power toothbrushes are usually only a few dollars more than ordinary manual toothbrushes.
Trying Out a Power Toothbrush

It’s understandable to want to test-out a rechargeable electric toothbrush before buying a hi-tech one for the first time. While your dental professional is the best person to ask for a recommendation, you may also consider some affordable, entry tier options like Oral-B® CrossAction® Power Max or Oral-B® Vitality. They’re ideal for people who are curious about giving power a try but want a taste of what it’s like first.

Good Technique
Whichever toothbrush you choose, the key, say all the experts, is good technique.
Brush in small circular motions with the toothbrush angled so that you are brushing the gum as well as the tooth.
It’s particularly important to brush the area where the gum meets the tooth. Make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies. Dentists also recommend using a fluoride toothpaste.
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Brushing time
Most people don’t brush their teeth for long enough. The British Dental Association advocates that we spend a full two minutes brushing our teeth both morning and night – but on average we spend only about 40 seconds.
Many of the rechargeable brushes have a timer to check that you are spending the full two minutes or longer.
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Children
A powered toothbrush can also be an advantage if you need to clean other people’s teeth, such as children or the elderly.
The brushes on the market for children are mainly battery operated, with bright colourful designs to entice them to brush more frequently. These brushes, are not suitable for children under three, however, and parents should always supervise brushing in any child up to seven years old.
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Personal choice
Choosing a toothbrush is a matter of personal preference – some people feel more comfortable with a manual toothbrush, others with an electric one.
The Cochrane Collaboration’s report didn’t cover factors such as how light, easy to hold or manoeuvrable the brushes were, and how ‘clean’ the person’s teeth felt afterwards.
These are all very subjective issues, but important when you’re a consumer. We’ve woven these factors into our nonclinical testing.

Special-needs children don’t receive the dental care they need in many cases.

This information likely isn’t a surprise. Dental care isn’t usually the top priority for parents of special-needs children because medical care generally is more important. The ability for a parent to take care of a child’s oral health likely is more complicated, as well.

The dental issues the child encounters depends on the condition or disease the child is afflicted with. Children that have some type of physical problem or limitation may not be capable of doing things like brushing his or her teeth. It also may be a matter of the child not comprehending the importance of oral health.

For patients with Down syndrome, for example, teeth grinding and clenching may often be a problem. The repeated grinding will eventually wear out the enamel.

Many dentists suggest specialist care for special-needs children because of the vulnerability the children have to dental problems that other people may not have. In many cases, it benefits the child and the dentist if the dentist is aware of the full extent of the child’s medical condition.