Are toothbrush covers recommended for kids

Do you recommend toothbrush covers for kids?

The mouth is home to millions and millions of bacteria. We all want a clean toothbrush; after all it is something that we use in our mouth! And if our mouth has bacteria, it makes sense that it transfers to our toothbrush. So, does a toothbrush cover help or harm our children’s toothbrushes?

A question a lot of parents ask: “Is it ok to use a toothbrush cover and will it help to keep my kids’ toothbrush clean?”

There are different types of toothbrush covers, some are even very cute. And if it encourages children to brush their teeth, then that is a big plus. But you want to make sure that you leave enough time to completely dry the toothbrush before placing the cover on. The moisture that holds in a contained space can inspire the growth of microorganisms, such as yeast, fungi and bacteria.

In this video Dr J answers:
"Should you use a toothbrush cover for your child?"

Toothbrush covers are not ideal to store your child’s toothbrush, due to poor air circulation. Although there might be some brands that have better ventilation. It is fine to use a toothbrush cover when you are travelling, in order to protect the toothbrush from coming into contact with other items that aren’t as clean.

ADA recommends air drying toothbrushes, because a closed container in a moist environment breeds bacteria

How to care for your child’s toothbrush

Here are a few tips that will help to make sure your kid’s toothbrush stays as clean as possible.

Everyone in your household should have their own toothbrush, do not share toothbrushes.
After brushing thoroughly rinse your child’s toothbrush in hot water. Rinse off all the toothpastes and any debris lodged in the bristles.
Store the toothbrush upright and uncovered so that it can completely dry out.
Replace your child’s toothbrush every 2-4 months. If your child has been sick then you should replace it immediately.

In addition you should keep up with their routine cleanings, practice good home care, and maintain a clean bathroom.

There are a lot of other good options for your child’s oral health besides using a toothbrush cover.

Click here for some other great articles by Dr. J, pediatric dentist in Alpine. You can find the answers to a lot of commonly asked questions regarding a child’s oral health.

If you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to contact Alpine Pediatric Dentistry!