Picking a toothpaste for your child can be a little overwhelming at times. After all, there are so many brands to choose from that all claim to possess the magic formula and keep your child’s teeth and gums healthy. Fluoride or no fluoride? With added flavor or without? Let us give our opinion and hopefully simplify the decision-making process.

When should my child begin using fluoride?

  • First thing to consider is the age of your child. Children ages two and under, are recommended to use training toothpaste that is fluoride-free. Brands such as Orajel have such products that taste fruity and are specially formulated for infants and toddlers.
  • At age two you can move up to a regular children’s toothpaste containing fluoride. Crest Kid’s toothpaste has little features like sparkles – perfect for little ones to transition out of training toothpaste. Another supplier such as Oral-B also carries a line called Stages that offers a wide variety of familiar characters on their tubes to make picking out a toothpaste fun.
  • For children ranging from six and above, regular toothpaste with fluoride may be used. The vital anti-cavity benefits of fluoride are very valuable in starting your child’s dental health on the right path. If possible avoid using any toothpaste that claims to whiten, have tartar control (such as Crest Pro Health) or have lemon or cinnamon flavorings added. These products have extra ingredients to look appealing to consumers, however they are the typical culprits involved in toothpaste allergies.

How much toothpaste should my child use?

  • Most children’s toothpastes contain fluoride unless specifically labeled as fluoride-free. In the past, parents were advised to wait until their child could spit before they began using a fluoride toothpaste. However, recent studies (as endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) have shown that the small amount of fluoride toothpaste ingested during brushing is not harmful as long as you use an age appropriate amount.
  • For infants, use an amount of toothpaste the size if a grain of rice. At age two begin using a lentil-sized amount and rub the toothpaste into the bristles with your finger prior to brushing. This will ensure that the toothpaste is well distributed throughout the brush and decreases the chances of your child eating the toothpaste right off the bristles. If there is any concern for residual toothpaste in your child’s mouth after brushing, you can rinse the toothbrush and go back and brush with just water or you may use a wet washcloth to wipe any areas of remaining toothpaste. At ages six and above, they may use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste.

What is a toothpaste allergy and how can I tell if my child has it?

  • Toothpaste allergies have increased over time with the introduction of new products that try to “do it all”. To many ingredients are sometimes added in order to make a toothpaste look more desirable to the average consumer. Some of the brands that contain such ingredients claim to whiten, control tartar, or have the added flavorings of lemon or cinnamon. Studies have shown over time that in some patients these products are causing allergic reactions when exposed to oral mucosa (mouth tissue). To identify a toothpaste allergy, look for a white film on your child’s lips or cheeks that you can wipe off.

We hope you enjoyed these tips!