Best Toddler Toothpaste for Developing Teeth

Buying toddler toothpaste can sometimes feel daunting, especially with all the advice and recommendations floating around. Fluoride vs. fluoride-free, how often to brush, and so on.

This can be a tad overwhelming, so we’re here to help lighten the load. One consideration is dental care and what toothpaste your child should be using. Throughout this article, we’ll discuss the dos and don’ts of the best toddler toothpaste along with some of our own selections.

Top 8 Best Toddler Toothpaste

I chose these based on their reputation, taste, and safety.

How Often Should a Toddler Brush Their Teeth? 

Like everyone else, a toddler should brush their teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once before going to bed. For 18 months, it’s best not to use any toothpaste. Use a toddler-friendly soft toothbrush and simply put water on the brush. 

This will help them prepare and be comfortable with their toothbrush and keep their teeth safe and clean.

Toddler Toothpaste vs. Adult Toothpaste 

There is one main difference between toddler toothpaste and adult toothpaste: fluoride. Fluoride can be found in natural foods and is used to help protect teeth from decay.

However, children may not be adept at the concept of not swallowing toothpaste, especially since they receive no immediate consequences and the toothpaste more often than not comes with a pleasant taste. Consuming too much fluoride is dangerous, which is why kid toothpaste contains less or no fluoride. 

Is Fluoride Bad for Kids? 

Fluoride is not bad for kids, but there is a risk of developing dental fluorosis. Dental fluorosis causes white spots to develop over your tooth enamel and only happens when children consume too much fluoride. 

Fluoride Toothpaste vs. Fluoride-Free 

There is a difference in performance between fluoride and fluoride-free toothpaste. 

Fluoride is used to prevent tooth decay and the development of cavities and has been proven to do exactly so. It’s a strong natural solution that stops the demineralization of your tooth enamel and simultaneously re-mineralizes it. Toothpaste that has an ADA Seal of Acceptance can also contain fluoride due to its benefits. 

However, we have already established that there is a risk when using toothpaste that contains fluoride. There is the potential development of dental fluorosis, a more significant threat for children than for adults. Hence, we turn to fluoride-free options. 

Most often, dentists will actually dissuade people from using fluoride-free toothpaste because nothing can quite match the benefits fluoride can offer. However, in certain cases, there are times when fluoride-free options are the better choice. 

If your child is used to swallowing the toothpaste, then it’s better to use fluoride-free toothpaste. If there are high levels of fluoride in your water already, using fluoride toothpaste may be considered too much. You may also have to resort to fluoride-free toothpaste if you have an allergy to fluoride. 

Fluoride-free isn’t better than fluoride toothpaste, but there are circumstances where it’s preferable over fluoride toothpaste. 

How to Safely Use Fluoride Toothpaste for Toddlers 

It is still entirely possible to use fluoride toothpaste with toddlers. You just need them to spit it out once you’re done brushing their teeth. When using fluoride toothpaste, be sure to use only a small amount. Dentists recommend the toothpaste should be no bigger than a grain of rice on your child’s brush. Be sure to also use a soft-bristled toothbrush when brushing your child’s teeth to prevent bleeding. 

What to Look for in a Toddler Toothpaste 

— Trusted Brands 

Being experimental isn’t always the best idea. Sometimes, it’s better to stick to companies and brands that have made a good, reliable name for themselves. Consider brands such as Oral Care, Orajel, Colgate, Toms, Crest, Burt’s Bees, and more. 

— Ingredients 

There is a pattern of ingredients in every toothpaste which you should be aware of. All ingredients should evidently fall under these categories, otherwise, they may not be welcome in your toothpaste. 

• Fluoride. As we already know, fluoride is the ingredient that actively fights against tooth cavities and decay. It strengthens your enamel and keeps your teeth white and strong. Only toothpaste that contains fluoride can have an ADA Seal of Acceptance. 
• Abrasives. These are inactive ingredients since they do not contribute to the minimization of cavities or decay. Instead, abrasives focus on removing the actual food debris and plaque left on your teeth.  
• Flavors. This is to help cover up the unpleasant taste of fluoride and abrasives. These flavors are often sweet, but this does not mean they contain sugar. In fact, any toothpaste which has an ADA Seal of Acceptance is guaranteed to not contain sugar since the ADA condemns toothpaste with sugar in them. Sugar directly contradicts the purpose of toothpaste, hence ingredients such as saccharin and sorbitol are used instead. 
• Humectants. These ingredients prevent your toothpaste from drying up and becoming crusty. Such ingredients can be glycerol, glycol, and sorbitol which also sweetens toothpaste. 
• Detergents. These ingredients help your toothpaste bubble up and create foam that properly covers your teeth while you’re brushing. The most common ingredient used to do this is sodium lauryl sulfate. 

— Safety 

When shopping for your children, safety should always be a priority. If you’re looking for fluoride-free toothpaste, you’re not going to find the ADA Seal of Acceptance, but there are FDA Approved toothpaste that will suffice in terms of safety. 

If you’re looking for fluoride toothpaste, it’s best to stick to toothpaste that has an ADA Seal of Acceptance. 

— Taste 

Children are picky; there’s no arguing that. Toothpaste is also not known to be the best-tasting paste out there, so giving them something unflavored is a formula for disaster. Instead, look for a flavor that your child will enjoy tasting. Most children’s toothpaste uses fruity flavors to cover up the taste of other ingredients. 

— Price Range 

Depending on the size of the tube and the ingredients, the price of toothpaste varies. 

— Quantity 

Always be sure to check the amount of toothpaste in the tube. Some will have enough for a month or two, while others are only made to be used as travel tubes. You want something large enough to last you at least a month since you’ll be brushing your child’s teeth twice every day. 

The Bottom Line

When buying toothpaste for toddlers, it’s always better to stick to fluoride-free options that have a pleasant taste. It makes it easier for kids to use the toothpaste and get used to it. Be sure to comment on the toothpaste you use with confidence if we haven’t covered them here and be sure to share this article with others who could use a point in the right direction.

Photo credit: cSia Footage/Shutterstock; New Africa/Shutterstock; Duda Vasilii/Shutterstock

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