Selecting the Right Tools for Kids’ Teeth
Navigating the numerous oral care products marketed as "best for children" can feel overwhelming. Choosing a toothbrush of the appropriate size and a gentle, effective children's toothpaste is crucial for maintaining excellent oral health.
Why is Brushing Baby Teeth So Important?
The importance of keeping primary (baby) teeth healthy is often underestimated. Primary teeth play vital roles in speech development, chewing, jaw growth, and they also guide the proper alignment and spacing of permanent adult teeth. Brushing baby teeth prevents bad breath and tooth decay, and also removes the plaque bacteria that can lead to childhood gum disease.
What Are the Differences Between Toothpaste Brands?
While all toothpastes are not identical, most brands generally contain abrasive ingredients to help remove stains, soapy ingredients to help eliminate plaque, fluorides to strengthen tooth enamel, and some type of pleasant-tasting flavoring to encourage use.
The main differences between brands often lie in the thickness of the paste, the amount of fluoride they contain, and the specific type of flavoring used. While fluoride is beneficial for strengthening enamel and fighting plaque bacteria, too much fluoride can actually harm young developing teeth – a condition known as dental fluorosis. Children between the ages of one and four years old are most susceptible to this, so fluoride levels should be carefully monitored during this time.
It's important to be aware that adult and non-ADA approved brands of toothpaste often contain harsher abrasives that can wear down tooth enamel and weaken primary teeth. Additionally, some popular toothpaste brands contain sodium lauryl sulfate (listed as "SLS" on the packaging), which can cause painful mouth ulcers in some children.
How Do I Choose the Best Toothpaste for My Child?
Sky Pediatric Dentistry offers a fun Toothpaste Try-Out station at our Brush-Up Center. Parents and kids can sample a variety of toothpastes to find one with the look and feel that kids will enjoy using! Dr. Ashley understands that it can be tricky to find the toothpaste that is 'just right' for your child. We hope the Toothpaste Try-Out station will help make this choice an easy one!
Once your child has several teeth (typically before age two), brushing should begin. We recommend using a smear-sized amount of your child's preferred toothpaste. Dr. Ashley and the Sky Pediatric Dentistry team can help you determine if your child needs a toothpaste that contains fluoride before they are two years old, based on their needs.
For children aged 2-5 years old, use a pea-sized amount of a fluoride toothpaste. Look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the toothpaste packaging. Encourage your child to spit out any excess toothpaste after brushing. If your child accidentally swallows tiny amounts of toothpaste, don’t worry; this is perfectly normal and will decrease over time with encouragement.
If you have any questions or concerns about selecting the right brand of toothpaste for your child, Dr. Ashley and the Sky Pediatric Dentistry team will be happy to provide personalized recommendations based on your child's specific needs.
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