Fernando’s Story: When Toothbrush Noise Is a Sensory Issue

For a child with sensory sensitivities, toothbrushing can involve much more than getting their teeth clean. The sound of an electric toothbrush alone can make brushing uncomfortable or overwhelming.

That was something Fernando’s mom had to consider when finding a toothbrush that worked for him. “Prior to using Willo, we did struggle,” she says.

Fernando has sensory sensitivities, including sensitivity to sound. His mom knew that the noise from a spinning toothbrush could be particularly bothersome for him.

Watch Fernando’s mom share their story

When the sound of an electric toothbrush is too much

Electric toothbrushes add sound and vibration to a routine that can already involve a lot of sensory input. For some children with sound sensitivities, that noise can make brushing harder.

“Sometimes with children who do have sensory sensitivities, the noise of a spinning brush can be very bothersome,” Fernando’s mom explains.

For Fernando, she noticed a difference with Willo.

“With Willo, it’s very minimal sound, which is calming, especially for Fernando.”

That mattered because Fernando’s response told his mom whether the brushing experience was comfortable for him. She says he was calm when he started using Willo and felt that if the experience had bothered him, he wouldn’t have wanted to use it.

Sound isn’t the only sensory part of toothbrushing

Toothbrush noise can be one challenge, but toothbrushing involves several sensations at once. A child may also be sensitive to vibration, the feeling of bristles against their teeth and gums, toothpaste, or having something inside their mouth.

Every child experiences sensory input differently. A toothbrush that works well for one child may not feel comfortable to another.

Fernando’s mom also points to Willo’s soft bristles as part of the experience that works well for him. Willo surrounds the teeth with soft bristles and powers the brushing motion, helping clean around the teeth without relying on a child to manually maneuver a traditional toothbrush into hard-to-reach areas.

For Fernando, the combination has helped make brushing a calmer part of his routine.

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A calmer brush can mean a calmer start to the day

For Fernando’s mom, finding a toothbrush that works with his sensory sensitivities matters beyond toothbrushing itself.

“Using Willo definitely does give me an additional peace of mind because we’re not struggling, and he can be calm going into the school day versus starting off already a little bit on the edge.”

That distinction is important. Something that feels like a small part of a morning routine can have a much bigger impact when a child experiences sensory input differently.

As Fernando’s mom puts it, “Something that most people think is a simple task may not be for other children when they do have sensory sensitivities.”

For Fernando and his family, finding a quieter brushing experience means less struggle, more peace of mind, and a calmer way to start the day.