​​The Best Kids Toothpaste for Keeping Their Teeth Healthy and Strong

The Ultimate Guide for Kids Toothpaste and Early Dental Hygiene

There are many different opinions when it comes to the most beneficial toothpaste for your children. While some people say that fluoride toothpaste can be used at any age, others won’t allow their little ones to use fluoride-containing products at all. Similarly, certain groups claim that artificial flavors and colors won’t have any harmful effects, while others believe that all-natural is the only way to go. 

How Do You Know Which Camp Has the Right Answers?

In this guide, we’ll outline the most important things to check when choosing toothpaste for kids. By considering advice from leading health experts and a little of your own common sense, you and your kiddo will be well on your way to maintaining healthy teeth and gums. We also provide tips on which oral care practices are most suited to each stage of their dental development.

Oral Care From Baby to Toddler And Beyond

Even though your newborn baby doesn’t have any teeth yet, it doesn’t mean that oral care isn’t important. You need to care for their mouth to prevent gum disease and infections from just a few days old. MedlinePlus recommends gently wiping your baby’s gums with a clean, damp gauze pad or washcloth after every feeding and before bedtime. 

Once your baby starts teething between six and 14 months their teeth should be brushed gently with water and a baby-size toothbrush. Fluoride toothpaste should not be used until your child is older than two years since they’ll need to be able to spit the toothpaste out without swallowing it. 

For children between the age of two and three years, you can apply a small dot of toothpaste no bigger than the size of a grain of rice. Children three to six years old can use a pea-sized amount. Their teeth should be brushed teeth after breakfast and before bedtime.

Types of Toothpaste for Kids: Fluoride vs Xylitol

The majority of toothpaste contains fluoride. This popular ingredient makes teeth more resistant to acid, helps to prevent cavities, and strengthens tooth enamel. Although fluoride naturally occurs in tap water, the quantity used in toothpaste is much more concentrated. 

Too much fluoride can cause white spots on the enamel and if swallowed in large amounts it can cause stomach upset. This is why some people are opposed to the use of fluoride toothpaste for children.

An alternative to fluoride toothpaste is xylitol. Xylitol can help prevent cavities since it reduces cavity-causing bacteria. The only catch is that you need to use a significantly larger amount of xylitol than fluoride for it to be effective.

What to Look for in Kids’ Toothpaste

American Dental Association seal of acceptance 

A good starting point for choosing a quality fluoride toothpaste for kids is looking for something with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.

The FDA does regulate all oral care products, however, if a product is ADA-certified it is tested for safety and effectiveness beyond FDA requirements. An ADA Seal of Acceptance ensures that it contains the right amount of fluoride for enamel protection and that it has undergone rigorous safety testing.

To get the ADA Seal of Acceptance, the product does, however, need to contain fluoride. Therefore, this is not the be-all and end-all, especially if you are opting to use a xylitol or fluoride-free product instead.

Ingredients

If you want fluoride toothpaste, look for the component in the ingredients list. It may appear as sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate, or stannous fluoride.

You also want to ensure that the toothpaste is free from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). This is a foaming agent that creates bubbles during brushing and is also found in many cleaning products. SLS can cause or worsen canker sores in kids. 

Other ingredients you want to be aware of are abrasives such as calcium carbonate. Although these can be helpful to remove stains and debris in adult teeth, they can be too strong for kids.

Flavors and colorants

It is recommended to try and avoid toothpaste that contains artificial colorants or dyes since these can cause allergic reactions such as a swollen tongue or itchiness. Although flavor can play a significant role in getting your toddler more excited about brushing their teeth, try to go for a natural one and avoid added sugar.

You’ll also want to choose a toothpaste that your child actually likes. This will make brushing easier on both of you. Avoid whitening toothpaste, charcoal toothpaste, products with microbeads, and intense flavors. These are too harsh for baby enamel and kids’ taste buds.

Tips for Brushing Your Child’s Teeth

1. When teaching your toddler to brush their teeth, brush in tiny circles on both the teeth and gums. Focus on the back molars since these are more prone to cavities. Ideally, you want to brush for two minutes.
2. When they have two teeth that are touching start flossing once daily. Although brushing is essential, it won’t remove particles or plaque between teeth and near the gumline. Using floss sticks is generally a much easier option for kids.
3. Ensure you use the recommended quantities for the age of your child’s development. Even teenagers and adults can cause damage with overzealous brushing and too much toothpaste. By using excessive amounts, you can wear down enamel and weaken teeth.