Are U-Shaped Toothbrushes Good For Kids?
If you've scrolled through social media lately, you've probably seen ads and other user-generated videos demonstrating U-shaped toothbrushes for kids. These hands-free devices promise to clean all your child's teeth simultaneously in just seconds.
The rise in social media coverage has led to increased popularity of U-shaped toothbrushes. Some of these videos call the use of U-shaped toothbrushes a "hack" to get your kids to enjoy brushing their teeth.
One video shows a young boy using a U-shaped toothbrush. The mom says, "My son absolutely loves it. I used to have such a hard time getting him to brush his teeth. But now, he literally begs me to brush his teeth at least three times a day."
It all sounds great—simple and easy. Commenters, though, were mixed.
"As a dental assistant, please still brush their teeth," writes one.
"Rather them use this than not brush at all," says another.
But do they actually work? Here's what the research and dental experts have to say.
Dental professionals have expressed concerns about the rise in popularity of these devices, especially for children.
A study from the University of Florence in Italy put U-shaped automatic electric toothbrushes to the test against conventional powered toothbrushes and regular brushing habits. The results were eye-opening.
The U-shaped automatic toothbrush didn't perform any better than not brushing at all in removing plaque. The difference in plaque reduction between using the U-shaped brush and not brushing was not statistically significant (only 5%).
Participants also reported feeling that their mouths were much less clean after using the U-shaped toothbrush compared to conventional methods. This is particularly noteworthy since these toothbrushes are often marketed as innovative devices that could especially help children or people with motor difficulties.
Shaun Dadjoo, DMD, MS, ABO, a board-certified orthodontist in California, is straightforward in their assessment, saying, "There is no age, stage, or group where a U-shaped brush would be recommended."
"There is a misconception that these can reduce the time required to brush or that they outperform traditional toothbrushes or electric brushes," Dr. Dadjoo goes on to explain. "It's not true. We're still waiting on a revolutionary product that can help with that. For now, the best option is a high-quality electric toothbrush with regular use."
Sandip Sachar, DDS PC, a general and cosmetic dentist who also practices pediatric dentistry in New York, has similar concerns. Dr. Sachar finds U-shaped toothbrushes "far inferior compared to traditional toothbrushes."
The main problem? These devices don't adequately contact all tooth surfaces, which means they don't effectively remove plaque, food particles, and bacteria. This can lead to tooth decay, bad breath, and poor oral hygiene overall, according to Dr. Sachar.
Dr. Sachar has seen concerning results in practice among patients who switched to these devices.
"Without exception, these children have increased plaque buildup along the gumline, and some even had cavities at a very young age," Dr. Sachar reports. "This has been conclusive to me that U-shaped toothbrushes are just not effective enough."
A dental professional on TikTok (@drbethanystoothtales) conducted a personal test, using a U-shaped toothbrush for two minutes. The result? The test still showed excessive plaque buildup, particularly along the gum lines.
Children between 2 and 4 years old are the most likely to use a U-shaped toothbrush. However, Dr. Sachar emphasizes that children this young aren't capable of brushing adequately on their own, regardless of the toothbrush type.
"Time spent brushing the child's teeth with a traditional toothbrush is a valuable learning lesson for the child about a lifetime of good oral hygiene," Dr. Sachar says. "Personally, I think it is just lazy to just give a child a U-shaped toothbrush, whether manual or electric, and let them brush on their own."
In fact, parents should continue to supervise their kids' toothbrushing habits well into their teenage years, according to Dr. Dadjoo.
"Parents should consider looking for soft-tipped, or extra soft-tipped tipped electric toothbrushes and watching their children brush their teeth," he says. "Children should be supervised [while] brushing their teeth until the age of 19. This is my recommendation to all our families in our practice."
While the consensus is clear that U-shaped toothbrushes shouldn't replace traditional brushing methods, Dr. Sachar acknowledges there might be limited circumstances where they could serve a purpose.
"I have had pediatric patients with disabilities or injuries that are unable to brush on their own," Dr. Sachar explains. "Older children do not like parents to brush for them. In these unusual circumstances, a U-shaped toothbrush is better than no toothbrush at all."
For now, dental professionals recommend sticking with proven methods. A high-quality traditional toothbrush (manual or electric), proper brushing technique, parent supervision and assistance for young children, and regular dental check-ups are all essential.
While the idea of a quick, effortless cleaning solution is appealing, especially for busy parents and reluctant brushers, the current generation of U-shaped toothbrushes simply doesn't deliver the oral hygiene results children need for healthy teeth and gums.
