What Is the Best Toothpaste for Children?

As a parent, you want to foster good oral health habits for your children early on in life. This ensures that they have the best advantage for a healthy smile from the get-go. With that comes concerns about their teeth brushing routine.

What Type of Toothpaste Should My Child Use?

There are many types and brands of toothpaste available for children on the market today. It can cause confusion for any parent when trying to select the best for his or her child. The American Dental Association (ADA) has developed an acceptance program for toothpastes. To gain the seal of approval from the ADA, toothpaste must meet strict safety and effectiveness guidelines.

Products that have the seal have gone through multiple tests and have been shown to significantly reduce decay compared to regular toothpaste. To find a product that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance you can visit the ADA website for a complete list. Alternatively look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance when selecting a toothpaste for your child.

Does Flavor Matter?

Children’s toothpastes have been given unique flavors such as bubble gum or fruit to make them appeal to kids. Children often perceive the fresh feeling that adults get from mint flavored toothpaste as spicy, and it may make them uncomfortable. Cinnamon flavored toothpastes can cause a similar feeling, and be an irritant to soft tissues in some individuals.

It is important to find a flavor that works for your child such that brushing can be enjoyable. Remember to always dispense the toothpaste for your child and supervise and assist children during use.

What Age Can Kids Use Regular Toothpaste?

Many of the bubble gum and similar toothpastes are actually trainer toothpastes without fluoride (be sure to check the label).  It is safe to use toothpaste containing fluoride with young children, as long the correct amount is used. It is best to consult with a physician or dentist regarding the amount of toothpaste in a child under two years of age.

How Much Children’s Toothpaste Should My Child Use?

The amount of toothpaste a child should get is based upon their age. The ADA and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) have published guidelines for parents to instruct them on how much toothpaste to use.

Under the Age of 2

Consult with a pediatric dentist, dentist, or physician before beginning toothpaste use in children under the age of two.

Ages 2-3

Currently guidelines state that children under the age of three have their teeth brushed two times a day with a smear of toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice twice daily.

Ages 3-8

Children over the age of three should have their teeth brushed with a pea sized amount of toothpaste twice daily. Adults should assist with brushing until about the age of seven or eight. Typically kids do not have the hand coordination to do an efficient job until this age. With kids a little bit of toothpaste goes a long way in preventing tooth decay.

Is Fluoride in Toothpaste Bad for Children?

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that is found throughout the environment. It has been well established that fluoride can help prevent dental decay. Fluoride works in a variety of ways to prevent cavities. When fluoride meets the tooth structure it can be incorporated into the crystal structure which makes the tooth stronger and less susceptible to breaking down. It also works against plaque (bacteria) to disrupt its activity.

Over the counter toothpaste in the United States contains 0.1-0.15% fluoride ion (1000-1500 ppm). A smear of toothpaste is approximately 0.1 mg fluoride, and a pea-sized amount is approximately 0.25 mg fluoride.

If unsure about the type of toothpaste you are currently using for your child bring it into our office at your next visit. We are happy to answer any questions and provide recommendations regarding your child’s home care.

What Happens If My Child Swallows Too Much Toothpaste?

Sweet toothpastes might be irresistible to toddlers seeking something sweet. If you walk into the bathroom and find that your child ingested a ton of it, it may be cause for worry. Swallowing fluoride may lead to an upset stomach but is unlikely to cause serious toxicity from just the small amount contained in toothpaste. However, in very rare cases, it can lead to more serious problems.

According to Poison.org, giving them milk may prevent stomach issues because calcium binds with fluoride. Be sure to call Poison Control right away.

References

American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. Fluoride toothpaste use for young children. J Am Dent Assoc. 2014;145(2):190-191.

American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Fluoride Therapy. Pediatr Dent. 2014;36(special issue):171-174.

Nowak A, Casamassimo P. The Handbook of Pediatric Dentistry. 4th ed. Chicago, IL; American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: 2011.