Brushing your baby’s teeth doesn’t have to be an epic battle you’re destined to lose. You can make a brushing session seem like a big reward if you buy a toothbrush that keeps them engaged and entertained.
We’ve spent hours researching the best toothbrushes for toddlers, getting recommendations from dentists and parents alike. We tested the most recommended toothbrushes on our own toddlers, and we’ve come up with this list of ten winners.
Tooth-cleaning time will be easier with one of these great picks.
- Replaceable AAA battery
- Replaceable brush heads
- Comes with a timer
- Lots of accessories in this set
- Comes with a brushing chart
- Replaceable batteries
- 60-day risk-free trial
- Rechargeable
- Compatible with Oral-B refills
- Four different heads
- Massages gums and cleans teeth
- Suitable for newborns
- Cute giraffe design
- Soft bristles are gentle
- Easy for babies to hold
Product Reviews
Here are the top baby toothbrushes on the market.
Radius Totz Toothbrush for 18 Months
Best Baby Toothbrush for Sensitive Teeth
These toothbrushes have extra-soft bristles, which is good news for kids with sensitive teeth. The bristles are vegetable-based, and the handles are BPA-free and don’t contain latex, lead, or phthalates.
The rounded corners on the brush’s head make it harder for your child to hurt their teeth or gums while brushing.
You’ll get three with this set, so you’ll have a backup waiting in the wings when you need a replacement.
These work well for kids who are at least 18 months of age.
Pros
- The three-pack includes an assortment of colors.
- Made with vegetable-based bristles rather than nylon.
- Soft and gentle on gums.
Cons
- The handle gets really slippery when wet, which makes it hard to hold.
- The wide handle doesn’t fit into a normal-sized toothbrush holder.
Our Ratings
Jordan Step 1 Baby Toothbrush
Best First Toothbrush for Baby
This toothbrush is designed for children who have sprouted their first tooth, and they can use it until they are two years old. The handles are so wide they won’t be able to accidentally trigger their gag reflex by sticking the brush too far in their mouth. They have a hole in the center for easy gripping.
A nice touch is that your baby can also use the handle as a teething ring.
While most of the bristles are white, some colored ones in the center help you and your child use the right amount of toothpaste.
Pros
- These come in an economical four-pack.
- They are BPA-free and phthalate-free.
- The bristles are super soft.
Cons
- Some parents complained the bristles came out easily when their baby chewed on them.
Our Ratings
Brush Baby BabySonic Electric Toothbrush
Best Electric Toothbrush for Toddlers
This electric toothbrush isn’t quite as vigorous as some of the adult electric versions are. Instead, it uses gentle vibrations to clean teeth.
The brush head is small enough that it won’t feel too large in your child’s mouth.
We love that it’ll help your child brush for the right amount of time because it has a two-minute light time. It also has a 30-second pulse reminder that goes off when it’s time for your child to brush another section of their mouth, ensuring they don’t miss any spots.
Pros
- The AAA battery is replaceable.
- You can also buy replaceable brush heads.
- The timer helps teach good brushing habits.
Cons
- More expensive than a manual brush.
- It doesn’t spin when brushing.
Our Ratings
Brusheez Children’s Electric Toothbrush
Best Toothbrush for a Busy Toddler
There’s so much to look at with this set that your toddler will soon forget they hate brushing their teeth.
It comes with a two-minute sand timer your child can watch to figure out when it’s time to stop brushing. It also comes with a cute rinse cup that your child will love to use, a stand to hold everything, and a replacement head.
Plus, it includes a cover to keep everything clean between uses.
You can choose from four animal designs, so you’ll be able to find one your child likes.
Pros
- You get a lot of accessories in this set.
- It comes with a brushing chart to help your child stay on track.
- The batteries are replaceable.
Cons
- The button is a little hard to push for a toddler.
- It’s a bit loud.
Our Ratings
Oral-B Disney Kids Electric Rechargeable Toothbrush
Best Baby Toothbrush with a Timer
When you purchase this, you get a free download of the Disney Magic timer app. In addition to the two-minute timer, the app includes a calendar for your child to view their progress. They can get rewards for brushing frequently and long enough.
This combines a child’s love of rewards with their love of technology.
It’s rechargeable and is compatible with a variety of Oral-B brush head refills.
Pros
- 60-day money-back guarantee.
- The charging station doesn’t take up much room.
- Choose between Disney’s Frozen or Raya characters.
Cons
- The button is a little hard to push.
Our Ratings
BabyBaus Finger Baby Toothbrush
Best Finger Baby Toothbrush
You can use these finger toothbrushes on both babies and toddlers. They come in a three-pack in a carrying case, so they’ll stay clean when not in use. The cases make them great for travel as well.
BabyBaus brushes have been approved by the FDA and are made of 100 percent food-grade material.
They slide right over your finger, which is nice for moms who are worried about their child jamming a traditional toothbrush too far into their mouth. The bristles are soft on gums and teeth.
Pros
- These are affordable.
- They come in three different colors of cases, so you can tell the brushes apart if you’re using them for more than one child.
- These will also work well for your pet’s teeth.
Cons
- People with larger fingers may not be able to slip the brush on.
- Because they’re clear, they can be hard to spot when you set them down for a minute.
Our Ratings
Colgate My First Baby and Toddler Toothbrush
Best Baby Toothbrush for Sore Gums
There’s nothing fancy about these toothbrushes, but they’re excellent for babies with sore gums because the bristles are extra soft. They shouldn’t irritate inflamed gums at all.
These come in a six-pack, and they’re perfect for babies to two-year-olds.
The non-slip handle will help you and your baby keep a firm grip, even if things get a bit wet and your child gets a little wild.
Pros
- These are affordable.
- The bristles stay put even if they’re chewed on.
- It’s easy to hold.
Cons
- They’re so soft that they don’t last very long — you might not get a full three months out of them.
- The angle between the handle and the head makes it a little awkward for parents doing the brushing.
Our Ratings
Dr. Fresh Extra Soft Toothbrushes
Colorful Kid's Toothbrush
Colors are enticing for boys and girls. They’ll be excited when they see these colorful new toothbrushes, and hopefully, it will inspire a little more enthusiasm for brushing.
These sweet toothbrushes come in a pack of five and are made using bright, eye-catching colors.
The wavy texture of the handle helps your toddler get a firm grip.
Pros
- An inexpensive option.
- Great value for money.
- They’re fun and appealing.
Cons
- The bristles tend to fall out with chewing.
- The bristles aren’t as soft as some other brands.
Our Ratings
Nuby 4 Stage Oral Care Set System
Best Massaging Baby Toothbrush
The Nuby 4 Stage Oral Care Set System is excellent if you want a toothbrush that massages and cleans gums.
A massaging toothbrush is a great investment to protect your child’s delicate gums. This set comes with four different heads.
First, the soft silicone massager and gum cleaner are great for newborns. Keep in mind this section goes over your finger. Keep it tight and secure and sit your baby upright, leaning slightly forward, to prevent any choking hazards if the head pops off.
Second, the soft gum massager is ideal for babies with incoming teeth.
The third head is great for cleaning new teeth during teething.
The fourth brush is made with soft nylon bristles for gently cleaning fully developed teeth.
We love that you can use this product from the first day of your baby’s life until they are six years old.
Pros
- Four heads for different stages.
- Massages gums and cleans teeth.
- Suitable for newborns.
Cons
- If your child chews on the bristles, they don’t last long.
- You don’t get to choose the color.
Our Ratings
Dr. Brown's Baby Toothbrush
Best Toothbrush With Soft Bristles
This incredibly adorable giraffe toothbrush is sure to be a hit with your little one! Suitable for children from zero to three years old, this is our top recommendation if you want something with soft bristles. Soft bristles are gentle on your baby’s gums, especially if they have sensitive mouths.
The toothbrush itself is comfortable and easy to hold. So your baby will have a fun time learning how to hold the brush and clean their own teeth.
It’s also a hygienic option since the toothbrush can stand up on its own using its four stable legs. You don’t need to lay it flat on the countertop where it can pick up extra germs and bacteria.
Top Tip
Pros
- Cute giraffe design.
- Suitable for children from newborn to three years.
- Soft bristles are gentle on sensitive mouths.
- Easy for babies to hold.
Cons
- It’s not very durable. Some parents stated that it started to wear down after one week.
Our Ratings
Types of Toothbrushes for Babies and Toddlers
There are several different kinds of toothbrushes you can purchase for your baby or toddler. Most are inexpensive, so if your baby decides they hate one type, you can move on to another without any significant loss.
Here are the standard types of baby and toddler toothbrushes:
Finger Toothbrushes
Every kid loves finger puppets — they enjoy anything they can stick on the end of their finger. It feels like a toy they get to play with, but with finger toothbrushes, you’re tricking them into working during their playing session. Finger toothbrushes are extra soft and work best for children with only a few teeth. If you go with this type, you should ensure they don’t bite down too hard and hurt their fingers. You should be the one to begin brushing their teeth with this type of brush, and then you can let them take over when they become comfortable.
Electric Toothbrushes
Children love gadgets, and electric toothbrushes are no exception. All they have to do is turn it on, and it does most of the work. Some even come with timers to help your child brush for the recommended two minutes each session. Or you can sing or play a song for them for two minutes.
I figured my first child would love an electric toothbrush, but after I bought her one, I realized she wanted nothing to do with it. I held onto it, though, and she began to like it months later as she became more comfortable with brushing her teeth.
Both my kids didn’t like how aggressive the electric toothbrushes felt, and they didn’t like the noise they made either. The whole experience intimidated them. I thought they would love not having to do all the work themselves, especially since they were so into electronics, but the only way I could get them to brush their teeth was with a regular brush that featured some of their favorite superheroes and Disney characters.
Manual Toothbrushes
A manual toothbrush has a larger head and more bristles than most finger toothbrushes. This helps your child reach their back teeth — the molars that show up around age two. Unlike with the electric versions, you or your child will have to make the brushing motions — there are no shortcuts with these.
How to Choose a Toothbrush for Baby
Babies are pretty easy to please. They like anything that looks cool. But even more than that, you need to pay attention to how the bristles feel because if they’re painful in any way, you’ll have a fight on your hands.
Here are some things you should pay attention to when toothbrush shopping for your child.
Soft Bristles
You don’t want toothbrushing to seem like a torture session that leaves your child’s gums shredded and bleeding. You’re trying to get them to clean their teeth — not scrub off the enamel. And because their gums are already inflamed from teething, their toothbrushes should always have soft bristles.
Great Colors or Characters
Your child’s love for cartoon characters is one of the best things you can exploit when convincing them to try new things. Toothbrushes come in a wide range of characters, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a favorite for your child.
Easy-grip
When you’re picking out a toothbrush, remember how little a baby’s hands are. Some toothbrushes, especially electronic ones, have oversized handles. Those can prove too much for a child to hold. You want a thinner handle that’ll fit comfortably in their hands.
The Size
Make sure that you pick a toothbrush that’s recommended for your child’s current age. If you have a two-year-old and you buy something better suited for an older child, it won’t fit comfortably. You don’t want an overly large toothbrush to gag your child.
FAQs
How Often Should I Brush My 2-Year-Old Teeth?
Always make sure to brush your 2-year-old’s teeth twice a day. You’ll want to brush their teeth in the morning first when they wake up and then at night before they go to bed.
Don’t forget to brush thoroughly but gently. Each tooth brushing should last for two minutes.
How Do I Brush My Toddler’s Teeth Without a Fight?
Our best advice is to make teeth brushing time into a game. There are apps for kids that make brushing teeth fun, like Pokemon Smile.
You can also bring out a special stuffed animal at teeth brushing time and tell your little one the stuffed toy is their teeth brushing friend.
When Should I Change My Toddler’s Toothbrush?
According to the American Dental Association, the answer is three months. We recommend you change out your toddler’s toothbrush every time they get sick, too. Doing this keeps germs from sticking around after they’ve recovered from a cold.
Are U Shaped Toothbrushes Better for Toddlers?
It’s difficult to say whether U-shaped toothbrushes are better for toddlers. Not enough research has been conducted to prove whether U-shaped toothbrushes or normal toothbrushes clean little teeth better. Still, U-shaped toothbrushes are considered safe for toddlers.
Are Rotating or Sonic Toothbrushes Better for a Toddler?
The sad truth is, it’s the same story as the question above. Not enough research has been done to say for sure whether rotating or sonic toothbrushes clean toddlers’ teeth better.
The good news is that both kinds of toothbrushes have been proven to be effective at removing plaque and cleaning properly.
What Is the Best Toothbrush for a Toddler?
The thing is, there are lots of great toothbrushes for toddlers out there that cater to different toddlers’ needs.
For example, the Radius Totz is the best choice for toddlers with sensitive teeth, but if your toddler has sore gums, they will find better relief with the soft-bristled Colgate My Toothbrush.
Looking for a toothbrush with a fun design and a timer? You might want the Oral-B Frozen Kids Toothbrush instead.
The Bottom Line
While all of the above have their charms, we think the best baby toothbrush is the Radius Totz toothbrush.
For affordability, we’ve always been a fan of manual toothbrushes, especially for babies and toddlers who are sometimes turned off by loud and scary-looking electric toothbrushes.
We like that these are affordable and the bristles are so soft that kids with sensitive teeth or gums will still be fine using them. The round corners of the brush head add to the comfort.
It can be frustrating trying to find a small toothbrush your baby will like, but remember to keep trying. Never let a tantrum stop you from fighting the good fight! Your baby’s teeth are important, so don’t give up — no matter what.
