What Pediatric Dentists Say About Willo’s Brushing Motion
Pediatric Dentist Perspective
Featuring insights from Dr. Joel Berg
Most kids know they are supposed to brush their teeth. The challenge is that effective brushing is actually much harder than it looks.
According to pediatric dental expert Dr. Joel Berg, most children, and many adults, do not consistently brush effectively because proper plaque removal depends on timing, positioning, motion, and repeatability.
Shop WilloWhy brushing technique is difficult for kids
Effective brushing requires more than simply moving a toothbrush around the mouth. Kids have to angle the bristles correctly, move them consistently, reach difficult areas, brush long enough, and repeat the process every day.
“Most children, in fact most adults, don’t really know how to brush their teeth effectively.”
— Dr. Joel Berg
Pediatric dentists see this every day. Kids often brush too quickly, miss important areas, or struggle to repeat the right brushing motion consistently enough to fully remove plaque.
Traditional brushing depends on skill
Manual brushing relies heavily on coordination, focus, timing, and consistent brushing motion.
Kids are still developing those skills
Pediatric dentists know many children are not developmentally ready to perform effective brushing technique independently every day.
Consistency matters most
Plaque removal depends on repeatable brushing behavior, not occasional perfect brushing.
From Dr. Joel Berg
“Kids can’t, they won’t, they don’t.”
Dr. Berg explains that the issue is not whether kids understand they should brush. The issue is that effective brushing is complicated.
“You have to position the bristles. You have to move the bristles.”
Dentistry already knows what effective plaque removal looks like. The challenge is getting children to repeat that brushing technique consistently throughout the mouth every day.
That is why Willo’s brushing motion was designed differently.
Instead of depending on children to manually perform the ideal brushing motion themselves, Willo helps automate the brushing process using a guided mouthpiece and automatic brushing motion.
“We are able to get the child to brush and get the improved plaque reduction without the child’s intervention.”
Dr. Berg also explains why this matters outside a clinical setting. If a child can repeat the same brushing process at home, the result is not dependent on a parent coaching perfectly or a child remembering every step.
“They’re just going to put the mouthpiece in their mouth and push the button.”
Why pediatric dentists care about brushing motion
Pediatric dentists are not simply evaluating whether a toothbrush is fun or high-tech. They are evaluating whether children can realistically use it effectively at home every day.
| What matters | Traditional brushing | Willo brushing motion |
|---|---|---|
| Technique | Requires manual motion | Automatic brushing motion |
| Coverage | Easy to miss areas | Designed for consistent cleaning |
| Timing | Often too short | Built-in 2-minute brushing cycle |
| Repeatability | Varies by child, day, and parent involvement | Designed to support the same brushing process every time |
Better brushing should not depend on perfect technique
Willo helps make effective brushing easier and more repeatable for kids ages 5 and up by reducing reliance on manual brushing technique.
Learn How Willo WorksFrequently asked questions
Why does brushing motion matter for kids?
Brushing motion matters because plaque removal depends on how the bristles move across the teeth and along the gumline. Many kids struggle to repeat the right motion consistently with a manual or traditional electric toothbrush.
Is Willo different from a regular electric toothbrush?
Yes. Regular electric toothbrushes still require the child to move the brush correctly around the mouth. Willo uses automatic brushing motion to reduce reliance on manual technique.
Does Willo help kids brush for two minutes?
Yes. Willo includes a built-in 2-minute brushing cycle to help kids brush for the dentist-recommended amount of time.
What age is Willo designed for?
Willo is designed for kids ages 5 and up.
Help your child brush better, not just longer
See how Willo helps make brushing more consistent, effective, and easier for kids ages 5 and up.
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