U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (2024)

12 Packs Kids U-shaped Toothbrush
2RexCodar Kids U Shaped Electric Toothbrush
3ZALUJMUS Kids U-shapedToothbrush
4Runmeihe Kids U Shaped Toothbrush Dual Extra Soft Silicone Brush Head
5Fantasyon 3 Pack Kids U-Shaped Toothbrush
65 Pack Kids U-Shaped Whole Mouth Teeth Brush
7Vicloon U Shaped Toothbrush

Some children have reduced manual dexterity, making brushing their teeth a little more difficult when using a standard manual or electric toothbrush, which is where a U-shaped toothbrush may be better suited to them.

Designed in a similar style to a mouth guard, it's a toothbrush that's designed to clean all the teeth at once. When your child becomes more independent and no longer needs you to use a baby toothbrush to help brush their teeth, a U-shaped toothbrush can support them with that independence while being effective at brushing their teeth.

We spoke to Dr Safa Al-Naher, mum-of-three and principal dentist and founder of Serene, about the benefits of a U-shaped toothbrush.

Best U-shaped toothbrushes at a glance

Best overall U-shaped toothbrush: 2 Packs Kids U-shaped Toothbrush - Buy here on Amazon.
Best electric U-shaped toothbrush: RexCodar Kids U Shaped Electric Toothbrush - Buy here on Amazon.
Best U-shaped toothbrush three pack: Fantasyon 3 Pack Kids U Shaped Toothbrush - Buy here on Amazon.

She said: "A U-shaped toothbrush is a toothbrush in the shape of your dental arch (the curved structure that houses your teeth and gums), and the aim is to reduce the time it takes to brush your teeth and it can be easier to use for people with reduced manual dexterity."

Best overall U-shaped toothbrush

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (8)

Price:

£9.89

Description

The 2 Packs Kids U-shaped Toothbrush is easy to use and has a handle that's comfortable for small

Pros

  • Flexible and soft bristles
  • Comfortable handle

Cons

  • Not powered

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (9)

Price:

£9.89

Best electric U-shaped toothbrush

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (10)

Price:

£114.41

Description

The Kids U Shaped Electric Toothbrush has five smart cleaning modes, including standard, gum

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (11)

Price:

£114.41

Best U-shaped toothbrush for different ages

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (12)

Price:

£2.99

Description

Available in different sizes to suit different age needs, the ZALUJMUS Kids U-shaped Toothbrush is

Pros

  • 360 cleaning
  • Ergonomic design

Cons

  • Some mentioned that a normal toothbrush would be better for older children

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (13)

Price:

£2.99

Best novelty U-shaped toothbrush

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (14)

Price:

£4.99

The Kids U Shaped Toothbrush Dual Extra Soft Silicone Brush Head has a lovely cartoon design

Pros

  • Can be cleaned in a steriliser
  • Extra soft silicone brush head

Cons

  • Handle might be too bulky for some

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (15)

Price:

£4.99

Best U-shaped toothbrush three pack

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (16)

Price:

£5.99

Description

The Fantasyon 3 Pack Kids U-Shaped Toothbrush comes in three cute designs that little ones will

Pros

  • Cute design
  • Smooth bristles

Cons

  • Might not need three

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (17)

Price:

£5.99

Best five pack U-shaped toothbrush

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (18)

Price:

£3.69

Description

For use as a toothbrush as well as supporting those last few painful teeth coming through, the 5

Pros

  • Can be used for toothing too
  • Comfortable handle

Cons

  • You have to clean them properly as the toothpaste can build up

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (19)

Price:

£3.69

Best U-shaped toothbrush for older children

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (20)

Price:

£3.99

Description

The transparent Vicloon U Shaped Toothbrush has soft bristles so that it's gentle when your child

Pros

  • Suction cup stand to help keep bristles clean
  • Soft bristles

Cons

  • Some mentioned they don't reach the back molars well

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (21)

Price:

£3.99

Are U shaped toothbrushes more effective than a regular toothbrush?

When teaching your child to brush their teeth, it can be difficult explaining how to get all the different angles.

"People want to use U-shaped toothbrushes for their children because children generally have reduced manual dexterity compared with adults," explains Dr Safa. "The advice we give as dentists is that children should have their teeth brushed for them until the age of around eight. This is the time children start to develop manual dexterity enough to reach and clean all of their teeth surfaces effectively.

"As a mother myself, I know it is very difficult to get children to stand still for long enough to brush all the surfaces of their teeth properly, and it might be too difficult to brush their teeth at all.

"There haven't been many studies done on U-shaped toothbrushes. However, the limited studies that have been done show they are much less effective than both a manual toothbrush and an electric toothbrush. Using a U-shaped toothbrush could be comparable to not brushing at all. Generally, dentists don't like them, as they are not very effective."

How do you use a U-shaped toothbrush?

Dr Safa says it's very straightforward, "The U-shaped brush fits into your mouth like a mouthguard. If you get an electric U-shaped toothbrush, it vibrates and cleans your teeth at once, whereas if it's a manual one, you will need to move the bristles yourself."

Pros and cons of U-shaped toothbrushes

"If the brush is from a reputable brand, with evidence-based research to show the efficiency, then using a u-shaped brush for someone who is less-abled or who won't open their mouth very easily, could be better than not brushing at all," says Dr Safa.

However, if this is not the case, then Dr Safa advises against using them.

"Firstly, because they don't work as well as normal brushes and secondly because putting a big u-shaped appliance into a child's mouth is much more traumatic and less likely to be accepted than using a toothbrush," she says.

"Young children should get into the habit of using a toothbrush, as this is part of building good oral health habits. From the moment your child cuts their first tooth, they should start getting used to the idea of having their teeth brushed.

"If a child is particularly resistant when they are very little, I would give them the brush to play with, with a tiny smear of age-appropriate toothpaste on. As they get older, they may watch other children, such as older siblings, brushing their teeth, and it will become easier to encourage them to brush their own. I always let young children play with the toothbrush at the end of brushing their teeth because it encourages some autonomy and gets them into good habits."

Samantha Ball is a Product & Lifestyle Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.

Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this website, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? (2024)

FAQs

U-shaped toothbrush: what is it and are they effective? ›

What is a U-Shaped Toothbrush? Automatic u-shaped toothbrushes come with a silicone mouthpiece that is, well, u-shaped. These mouthpiece toothbrushes typically have bristles on both sides that are able to hit every surface area of your teeth at once.

Do dentists recommend a U-shaped toothbrush? ›

The group with tooth brushing habits and those who used a conventional toothbrush also had a better effect on removing plaque compared to using a U-Shaped toothbrush. The use of a U-Shaped toothbrush shows results that are not effective in removing plaque and is equivalent to not brushing your teeth at all.

Which type of toothbrush is most effective? ›

Always choose soft bristles. In fact, if you have a manual toothbrush with soft bristles now and you feel like it's not doing a good job removing plaque from your teeth, try switching to an electric toothbrush with soft bristles—you'll be pleasantly surprised by what a difference it makes.

How effective are ultrasonic toothbrushes? ›

Studies have even shown that sonic toothbrushes still provide superior plaque removal even when they are held up to 4mm away from the tooth's surface! Obviously, users should brush in full contact with their teeth, but this is a testament to how effectively people can clean their teeth with this technology.

Can I use regular toothpaste on my U-shaped toothbrush? ›

Upload complete! A: Yes, of course. When you use regular squeezing toothpaste, try to apply it lightly and evenly on the U-shaped brush head. When toothbrush start running, the toothpaste will foam and fill whole mouth.

Do you have to use foam toothpaste with U-shaped toothbrush? ›

Q: Can this be used with regular toothpaste or do you have to get the foam toothpaste? Yes, you can apply traditional toothpaste on this U-shaped toothbrush.

Are U toothbrushes any good? ›

If a U-shaped toothbrush helps your child brush their teeth twice a day, then in turn it can also help prevent cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease, and instill good oral hygiene habits in your child. U-shaped toothbrushes can also be very beneficial for children with developmental disabilities or dexterity issues.

Does the shape of your toothbrush matter? ›

While the design you choose in a toothbrush is usually a matter of personal preference, you will get more mileage out of a toothbrush with a smaller head. When the head is smaller, it makes it easier to navigate between teeth and remove materials from the back molars.

Are U shaped toothbrushes better than regular toothbrushes? ›

U-shaped toothbrushes don't work. This is by far the most common misconception. The truth is, reputable, nylon-bristled 360 toothbrushes have been proven to be 27X more effective at removing plaque in kids than a traditional brush based on a recent study by Salus Research. However, this myth isn't entirely wrong.

What toothbrush is best for receding gums? ›

Soft-bristled toothbrushes are generally recommended for those with receding gums or gingivitis because they are gentler and less likely to contribute to further recession. However, it's important to note that proper brushing technique is just as crucial as the bristle type.

What is the smartest toothbrush? ›

  • Philips Sonicare 4100. Best electric toothbrush overall. Philips. ...
  • Oral-B iO Series 9. Best smart electric toothbrush. Oral-B. ...
  • Philips One by Sonicare. Best electric toothbrush for travel. Philips. ...
  • Brightline Sonic Rechargeable Toothbrush. Best affordable electric toothbrush. Brightline.
Dec 20, 2023

Do you need special toothpaste for ultrasonic toothbrush? ›

Toothpaste is really down to personal preference – there are no kinds of toothpaste that we actively would not recommend using with your electric toothbrush.

What toothbrush is best for plaque? ›

Top 3 Toothbrushes For Plaque Removal
  • Dr. Brite Sonic Toothbrush-White. ...
  • Philips Sonicare 3 Series Gum Health Electric Toothbrush. It easily and effectively sweeps away plaque and leaves your mouth fresh all day or night. ...
  • The Nimbus Microfine Toothbrush.
Dec 28, 2022

Is there a toothbrush that removes plaque? ›

Plus, an Oral-B electric toothbrush like the Oral-B Pro 1000 even removes 26% more plaque than Sonicare DiamondClean* and 100% more plaque than a regular manual toothbrush. Dr Robert Lee is a dentist with more than thirty years of experience in the industry.

What type of toothbrush bristles are most often recommended to dental patients? ›

Dental professionals recommend soft-bristle toothbrushes because too much pressure or overzealous brushing can negatively impact the enamel and gums.

Are 360 toothbrushes effective? ›

By brushing for 1 min with Colgate 360 Whole Mouth Clean Soft Toothbrush, a mean plaque score ranging from 21% to 28% was seen. With continuous use of this toothbrush for 1 week, a further reduction from 38% to 44% was observed before brushing on the 7th day. A 66–67% reduction was observed after brushing on day 7.

Which type of toothbrush is recommended in most cases why? ›

Select a soft-bristled brush.

Not only does a soft-bristled toothbrush do a good job of removing plaque and debris but it's also easier on your gums and enamel than a toothbrush with stiffer bristles.

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