The easiest way to choose a RADIUS kids toothbrush is to start with your child's age, then look at how comfortably they hold the brush and how much help they still need. Pure Brush is designed for babies and first teeth, Totz® for toddlers, Totz Plus® for preschoolers building more control, and Kidz® for children ages 6 and up.
Standing in front of several kids toothbrushes and trying to work out which one belongs to your child can make a small decision feel bigger than it is. The brushes share a lot of the same RADIUS thinking — soft bristles, child-sized shapes, and handles made for smaller hands — but each one is designed for a different stage.
If you are comparing Totz® and Kidz® and your child seems to fall somewhere in between, Totz Plus® may actually be the missing answer.
Which RADIUS Kids Toothbrush Should You Choose?
| Brush | RADIUS Age Stage | Best Fit For |
|---|---|---|
| Pure Brush | 0–1 | Babies, first teeth, and the earliest brushing stage |
| Totz® | Around 18 months+ | Toddlers beginning to participate in brushing with caregiver guidance |
| Totz Plus® | 3+ | Preschoolers developing more control and independence |
| Kidz® Brush | 6+ | Growing hands and mouths, with increasing brushing independence |
Age is the clearest starting point because each brush is scaled for a particular stage. From there, grip, comfort, and brushing ability help confirm whether the current brush still feels right.
Pure Brush: For Babies and First Teeth
The RADIUS Pure Brush is the earliest stage in the lineup, designed for ages 0–1.
At this point, brushing is fully caregiver-led. The goal is to gently clean emerging teeth while helping oral care become a familiar part of the day.
If your child has moved into toddlerhood and is beginning to grab the brush, participate, and develop more teeth, that is when Totz® becomes the more relevant next stage.
Totz®: For Toddlers Around 18 Months+
The RADIUS Totz® Brush is designed for toddlers around 18 months and older.
It has a small, smooth rounded head with extra-soft, plant-sourced bristles and a handle made to work for both little hands and caregiver guidance.
This is an important distinction: using Totz® does not mean the child is expected to brush independently. Toddlers can begin holding the brush, taking turns, and participating in the routine, while an adult still guides and completes the brushing.
Totz® is a strong fit when:
- Your child is in the toddler stage
- A caregiver is still doing much of the cleaning
- Your child is beginning to hold or guide the brush
- A small rounded head feels comfortable in their mouth
- Extra-soft bristles are a priority
Totz Plus®: For Kids Ages 3+
The RADIUS Totz Plus® Toothbrush fills the space between toddler brushing and the older-kid stage.
It is designed for ages 3 and up, when children often want to do more of the brushing themselves but still need meaningful adult help.
Totz Plus® has more than 3,500 extra-soft, plant-sourced bristles, a smooth rounded head, and a textured non-slip handle designed for growing hands.
That makes it a natural fit for preschoolers who are moving beyond the toddler setup but are not yet ready for the 6+ Kidz® Brush.
Totz Plus® may make sense when:
- Your child is age 3 or older
- They are taking a more active role in brushing
- They can hold and move the brush with more control
- You still need to finish the brushing and reach missed areas
- The original Totz® setup is beginning to feel like an earlier stage
Kidz® Brush: For Kids Ages 6+
The RADIUS Kidz® Brush is designed for children ages 6 and older.
Compared with the toddler-stage brushes, it is built for growing hands and mouths and gives older kids a setup that feels more appropriate for increasing independence.
That does not mean a six-year-old is automatically ready to brush completely alone. Many children still need an adult to supervise, check missed areas, and help where necessary.
Kidz® may be the better fit when:
- Your child is 6 or older
- The smaller preschool brush feels undersized for their current stage
- They are taking more responsibility for starting and completing the routine
- They have the hand control to guide the brush more deliberately
- You want a brush designed for an older child's hands and mouth without jumping straight to an adult brush
What Is the Difference Between Totz® and Kidz®?
The biggest difference is not simply toothbrush size. It is the stage each brush is designed to support.
| Feature | Totz® | Kidz® Brush |
|---|---|---|
| Age stage | Around 18 months+ | 6+ |
| Brushing stage | Toddler participation with significant caregiver guidance | Greater child ownership with continued adult supervision as needed |
| Head | Very small, smooth rounded head | Larger than the toddler-stage brush while still sized for children's mouths |
| Handle | Designed for small hands and caregiver control | Easy-grip design for growing hands |
| Best question to ask | "Does my toddler need a small brush that I can still guide easily?" | "Is my older child ready for a brush built around greater independence?" |
If your child is between these stages, Totz Plus® is the bridge rather than forcing an early jump from Totz® straight to Kidz®.
How Do You Know It Is Time to Move Up?
Do not treat moving to the next brush like a developmental test. Start with the age range, then look at how the current brush feels and functions.
It may be time to consider the next RADIUS stage if:
- Your child has reached the age range for the next brush
- The current handle feels awkward or undersized in their growing hand
- They are taking more ownership of the brushing sequence
- The current brush feels associated with a younger stage and they are asking for something different
- The next brush offers a better match for their current grip and mouth size
You do not need to wait for the old brush to become unusable. Likewise, there is no need to rush the switch if the current brush remains comfortable and age-appropriate.
Do Kids Still Need Help Brushing at 6?
Often, yes.
A child may be ready for the Kidz® Brush at age 6 while still needing caregiver supervision and help with effective brushing.
Independence is not all-or-nothing. A child can:
- Get the toothbrush themselves
- Apply the toothpaste with guidance
- Start brushing independently
- Use a timer or follow the brushing sequence
while an adult still checks the back teeth, gumline, and other areas they tend to miss.
The move to Kidz® should support growing responsibility, not signal that the adult's job is finished.
What Do RADIUS Kids Toothbrushes Have in Common?
The exact shape and construction change with each stage, but the range shares several broad design priorities.
- Soft bristle fields. RADIUS kids brushes are designed around gentle cleaning rather than firm scrubbing.
- Child-sized heads. Each brush is scaled for a smaller mouth at its intended stage.
- Handles designed around growing hands. Grip and control change as children develop, so the handle changes with them.
- Plant-sourced bristles. RADIUS uses plant-derived bristle materials across these kids brushes.
- BPA-free materials. RADIUS positions its kids brushes around materials selected with children and everyday family use in mind.
The useful part is the continuity. Moving from one RADIUS stage to the next does not require relearning the entire routine. The brush simply changes as the child does.
How to Make the Switch Easier
You do not need a formal toothbrush graduation ceremony, although some kids would probably enjoy one.
Keep the transition simple:
- Let your child choose their preferred available color
- Explain that the new brush is made for their current stage
- Keep the same general brushing time and routine
- Let them take the first turn while you continue helping as needed
If the transition itself is becoming a bigger issue, RADIUS's guide to transitioning from a toddler to a kids toothbrush goes deeper into the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is Totz® for?
RADIUS positions Totz® for toddlers around 18 months and older. It is designed for small mouths and early participation in brushing while a caregiver continues guiding and completing the cleaning.
What age is Totz Plus® for?
Totz Plus® is designed for ages 3 and up. It bridges the toddler and older-kid stages with extra-soft bristles, a rounded head, and a textured handle for growing hands.
What age is the Kidz® Brush for?
The RADIUS Kidz® Brush is designed for children ages 6 and older.
Should my 3-year-old use Totz® or Totz Plus®?
Totz Plus® is the RADIUS brush specifically positioned for ages 3 and up. If your child has reached that stage and is developing more control over the brush, Totz Plus® is the more natural progression.
Should my 6-year-old use Totz Plus® or Kidz®?
Kidz® is designed for ages 6 and older. A six-year-old can move into Kidz® while still receiving adult supervision and help with areas they do not yet clean effectively.
Can a child use Kidz® before age 6?
RADIUS positions Kidz® for ages 6 and up, so the age-specific Totz® and Totz Plus® brushes are the better starting point for younger children.
What toothbrush should a baby use?
For the earliest stage, RADIUS offers the Pure Brush, designed for ages 0–1 and first teeth.
The Bottom Line
The RADIUS kids toothbrush range is easier to navigate when you think of it as a progression rather than a choice between two nearly identical brushes.
- 0–1: Pure Brush for babies and first teeth
- Around 18 months+: Totz® for the toddler stage
- 3+: Totz Plus® for preschoolers building more control
- 6+: Kidz® Brush for growing hands, mouths, and independence
Age gets you to the right part of the shelf. Grip, comfort, and brushing ability help confirm the fit.
And moving to the next brush does not mean your child suddenly has to do everything alone. The tool can grow with them while your help gradually changes from doing the brushing, to finishing it, to supervising it.
That is the real progression: not simply a bigger toothbrush, but a little more ownership each time.