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The best preventive dental care to reduce your child’s risk of cavities and decay is brushing your child’s teeth at least twice daily. Brushing your child’s teeth requires using toothpaste, but not all toothpastes are created equally.
When it comes to selecting a toothpaste to brush your child’s teeth, choosing the best toothpaste ensures they brush their teeth regularly and prevent tooth decay. Staci Brunell, DMD, and Priyanka Patel, DMD, pediatric dentists at Yorktown Pediatric Dentistry in Yorktown Heights, New York, share how to choose the best toothpaste for your child.
It’s amazing just how many different types of toothpastes are available on store shelves. Selecting the best toothpaste from the endless options available can be intimidating for families.
We’re here to demystify the process of choosing the best toothpaste for your child from the many options. When you’re at the store, use the following criteria.
The American Dental Association approves toothpastes for children and adults that meet their safety and quality standards. When you’re at the store, look for and select only toothpastes that have the ADA seal of approval on them.
Fluoride is the most important component to look for in your child’s toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that helps make your child's teeth stronger and helps prevent tooth decay.
The ADA recommends that people of all ages use toothpaste with fluoride and drink tap water that contains it. Fluoride is safe for children of all ages.
Toothpastes labeled as being especially made for children’s teeth ensure that they are formulated to be the safest and most effective for young teeth. These toothpastes include fluoride in the ratio and dose best for children, and they avoid certain ingredients that are okay for adults but can be harsh on children’s teeth.
Once you narrow the potential toothpaste candidates down to a fluoride-containing, ADA-approved toothpaste for kids, the most important factor is choosing a toothpaste your child likes. By selecting toothpaste your child enjoys, they’re more likely to brush effectively and regularly, and they look forward to brushing as part of their everyday routine.
When your child picks a toothpaste, consider the following factors that can make or break their choice:
Sometimes, it can take several attempts to find toothpaste your child thinks tastes, feels, and looks good. You can support your child through trial and error by letting them try different toothpastes until they find a fit, and not forcing your child to keep using a toothpaste they don’t like.
With so many different types of toothpastes available, there’s a toothpaste out there for every child. If you and your child are having a difficult time finding the right toothpaste, our team can help make recommendations.
Contact us for help with your child’s tooth brushing routine or to make a dental cleaning appointment.
