That’s a good point about technique—my son did the same thing at first, just sort of zoned out and let the brush do its thing. I had to keep reminding him it’s not magic. Did you notice any difference in how thorough her brushing was between the two, or was it more about her learning the motions?
Did you notice any difference in how thorough her brushing was between the two, or was it more about her learning the motions?
That’s actually something I’ve wondered about too. My daughter switched back and forth for a while—she liked the “buzz” of the electric, but sometimes just grabbed the manual out of habit. I thought the electric would make things easier, but honestly, she seemed to miss spots either way if she wasn’t really focused. It’s almost like the tool matters less than whether they’re paying attention.
I’m curious if anyone’s noticed their kids get lazier with the electric, thinking it’ll do all the work for them? Or maybe that’s just my kiddo… We tried using those disclosing tablets a couple of times, and it was eye-opening (and kind of gross) to see what got left behind. Do you think technique is something they eventually just “get,” or does it always need supervision at this age?
It’s almost like the tool matters less than whether they’re paying attention.
Totally agree—my son was the same way. I noticed with the electric, he’d just kind of zone out and let it do its thing, but still miss spots. We’ve had better luck when I make it into a game or use a timer. Technique definitely takes time, and honestly, I still have to check sometimes. Those disclosing tablets are brutal but so helpful for showing what gets missed.
I’ve noticed the same thing with my daughter—she’s had both electric and manual brushes, and honestly, the outcome seems to depend way more on her focus than the brush itself. With the electric, she tends to get distracted and just sort of goes through the motions, especially if she’s tired or in a rush. I get why people like electrics for the built-in timers and the “cool” factor for kids, but if she’s not really paying attention, there are still patches she misses.
Manual brushing, on the other hand, requires a bit more effort, so sometimes she’s actually more engaged. We tried using those disclosing tablets too, and wow... they really lay it all out there. She was pretty shocked the first time—kind of grossed out, honestly—but it made a difference. Now she’s a little more motivated to get every spot. I think turning it into a challenge (like “let’s see if you can beat the pink this time”) helps more than the brush type.
Technique seems to be the real issue. I still have to remind her about angles and not just brushing the front surfaces. Sometimes I catch myself doing a quick check after she’s done, just in case. There’s probably no perfect answer, but for us, the routine and some accountability seem to matter more than whether it’s electric or manual.
Funny thing is, when I was a kid, I don’t remember anyone fussing about technique or timers... maybe that’s why I had so many fillings. Guess it’s a learning curve for both of us.