Choosing the Best Kids Toothpaste
Is your little one’s first tooth showing, and you’re wondering when it’s time to introduce them to toothpaste? Dental health and hygiene are extremely important, and developing proper habits at an early age can reduce the number of tooth-related problems later on.
Let’s check out the best brands for kid’s toothpaste and learn what our children need when it comes to dental health.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Crest Kid’s Cavity Protection Toothpaste
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| #2 |  Tom’s of Maine Natural Kid’s Fluoride Toothpaste
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| #3 |  ACT Kids Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste
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| #4 |  Burt’s Bees Kids Toothpaste
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| #5 |  hello Kids Unicorn Sparkle Fluoride Toothpaste
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| #6 |  Mamaearth Natural Berry Blast
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| #7 |  Colgate Kids Toothpaste
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| #8 |  Hello Oral Care Store Fluoride Free
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Best Kid’s Toothpaste
1. Editor’s Choice: Crest Kid’s Cavity Protection Toothpaste
Key Specs:
- Flavors: bubblegum
- Price range: <$5
- Quantity: pack of 3
Our first product for today comes from Crest, a toothpaste brand that we’re all very familiar with. Designed to fight cavities in both adults and children, this version of Crest toothpaste has a rich bubblegum flavor that will surely make dental hygiene more desirable. It promises to be gentle on tooth enamel and is sugar-free.
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2. Runner Up: Tom’s of Maine Natural Kid’s Fluoride Toothpaste
Key Specs:
- Flavors: strawberry
- Price range: $10 – $15
- Quantity: pack of 3
This natural toothpaste uses silica and calcium to gently clean your child’s teeth. The pleasant strawberry flavor will also stimulate regular brushing. It has zero no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, so this toothpaste is suitable for both children and adults.
It’s important to mention that, while ADA approved, this toothpaste does contain fluoride, so it’s crucial to keep your kids under observation so they don’t swallow too much of it.
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3. Bargain buy: ACT Kids Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste
Key Specs:
- Flavors: bubblegum
- Price range: <$5
- Quantity: one tube
Simple, practical, adorable, and loved by parents all over the world: that’s how I would describe ACT’s toothpaste for children. It features a noticeable bubblegum flavor and comes at a really convenient price. It’s definitely a product for parents looking to cut back on expenses.
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4. Best value: Burt’s Bees Kids Toothpaste
Key Specs:
- Flavors: fruit fusion
- Price range: $10 – $15
- Quantity: pack of 4
Burt’s Bees Kids is our choice for today when it comes to getting good value for your money. For a very good price, you get 4 tubes of toothpaste, all available in a fruit mixture flavor. The product Doesn’t contain any SLS, parabens, artificial flavors, or dyes.
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5. Best Whimsical: hello Kids Unicorn Sparkle Fluoride Toothpaste
Key Specs:
- Flavors: bubblegum
- Price range: $15 – $20
- Quantity: pack of 4
I’m not a fan of slapping the word “unicorn” on something like toothpaste just to get children to want it, but when it comes to dental hygiene, a parent needs every trick up their sleeve to make it work.
I do love this product overall, mostly because it’s ADA approved and uses ingredients that are safe for our kids. This vegan product doesn’t have any gluten or SLS but is instead made with ingredients like stevia and xylitol.
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6. Best for young kids: Mamaearth Natural Berry Blast Kids Toothpaste
Key Specs:
- Flavors: strawberry
- Price range: $5 – $10
- Quantity: one tube
This Mamaearth is one of the most natural products for children’s dental hygiene out there. If your child is at least one year old, then this toothpaste is something worth buying. Instead of dangerous ingredients, this one is made with stevia (instead of sugar) and aloe vera.
The strawberry flavor is pretty mild, but there are a lot of kids that love it. Also, it doesn’t have any artificial preservatives and the manufacturer promises it’s safe to swallow.
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7. Best packaging: Colgate Kids Toothpaste
Key Specs:
- Flavors: bubble fruit
- Price range: $10 – $15
- Quantity: pack of 4
For every child you show me that doesn’t like the minions, I’ll give you another 1,000 that do. The beloved yellow animated companions are here to convince your child to brush their teeth offering a product with a mild flavor, yet all the benefits. You get a pack of 4toothpaste tubes that protect the enamel in kids of ages 2 and up.
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8. Best vegan: Hello Oral Care Store Fluoride Free and SLS Free Toothpaste
Key Specs:
- Flavors: watermelon
- Price range: <$5
- Quantity: one tube
If you were looking for fluoride-free toothpaste, we have a great suggestion in store for you. This product is designed to be as kid-friendly as possible, with a package design focused on the environment. It’s made with recycled paperboard and prints are all made with soy ink.
This vegan product doesn’t contain any artificial flavors or sweeteners and, perhaps the most important thing is that it doesn’t have any fluoride either.
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Kids Toothpaste vs. Adult Toothpaste
Some parents find it puzzling when they have to choose between the many different child toothpaste brands out there. There are a variety of tastes and formulae available to meet a variety of needs, including those branded expressly for children.
But apart from the colorful colors and figures on the container, is there really a difference between children’s and adult toothpaste?
— Fluoride
The primary distinction between adult toothpaste and toothpaste created specifically for children is the amount of fluoride contained in each. Fluoride occurs naturally in various foods and is frequently added to public water supplies.
Additionally, it is one of the most effective strategies to prevent decay in both permanent and baby teeth. Children’s toothpaste often includes less fluoride to prevent them from consuming an excessive amount.
Children exposed to excessive fluoride may develop small white patches on their teeth called fluorosis.
— Abrasiveness
Toothpaste is designed to be sufficiently abrasive to adequately clean the teeth’ surfaces. However, children’s toothpaste is significantly less abrasive than adult toothpaste. Frequently, you’ll find them in gel formulations that are gentle on fragile infant teeth.
— Safe to Swallow
Children’s toothpaste is developed specifically to be swallowable. This is not to say that children should swallow their toothpaste. It will not be dangerous, though, if they consume small amounts.
Kids under the age of six are unable to spit. That is why they require toothpaste that is specifically formulated for them. On the other hand, parents must supervise their children while they brush their teeth.
Can Kids Have Fluoride?
Fluoride protects teeth and is a naturally occurring mineral. It can be obtained through food or supplementation. It strengthens tooth enamel and helps prevent plaque buildup. It promotes remineralization, which helps repair early deterioration.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that fluoride is recommended for children aged 6 months to 16 years.
The dentist or doctor may recommend fluoride supplements if your child’s tap water is not fluoridated. These are either tablets or drops to be taken orally. The amount of fluoride administered depends on the child’s age and the amount found in the water.
If your child only drinks bottled water, ask your pediatrician or dentist about using a fluoridated product. Most kids get enough fluoride through brushing and drinking tap water.
Tilt your baby’s head downward so any excess toothpaste dribbles out to reduce the risk of swallowing. It’s fine if your baby or toddler swallows part of the toothpaste. As long as you use the correct amount of toothpaste, a little bit should be fine.
If you use too much and your baby or toddler eats it, they may get sick. This isn’t necessarily harmful, but you should still call Poison Control for advice.
Important: Excess fluoride can lead to fluorosis. This is a cosmetic dental problem caused by overexposure to fluoride throughout the first eight years.
How Often Should Kids Brush Their Teeth?
The fact that a child brushes their teeth once a day isn’t enough to maintain good oral health. The American Dental Association advises youngsters (and adults) should brush twice a day for two minutes.
During preventive dental appointments, pediatric dentists frequently use the term “2 by 2” to teach kids to brush properly.
Brushing is best done after breakfast and before dinner. Brushing in the morning prevents “morning breath” and thoroughly cleans teeth from the morning meal. Assists in optimum dental health by removing sugar, acid, or extra food from teeth and gums.
While teaching your child to wash their teeth, make sure they also floss once daily. Replace their toothbrush every three or four months.
When Should Kids Start Brushing Their Teeth?
At six months, or roughly when the first tooth develops, begin brushing your child’s teeth. Brush your baby’s teeth with a wet towel or a little soft toothbrush.
Teeth and gums should be cleaned twice a day: in the morning and at night. Baby teeth are necessary for youngsters to eat and communicate and to guide permanent adult teeth into position. Thus, they must be taken care of from an early age.
If youngsters begin brushing their teeth too late, plaque and tartar accumulation on their teeth develop, resulting in cavities. And cavities in children’s teeth can be just as destructive as cavities in adult teeth.
And it’s not just about those baby teeth. Inadequate brushing can also promote the growth of bacteria in the body, resulting in inflammation and sickness.
What to Check for in a Kids Toothpaste
Fluoride Levels
Fluoride is a mineral that has been demonstrated to prevent tooth decay significantly. However, you should remind your children to spit out the toothpaste and prevent ingesting it. While fluoride is good, it can also be dangerous for little kids that sometimes tend to swallow their toothpaste.
Too much fluoride can result in fluorosis. If your child isn’t able to spit out toothpaste, you may want to use a fluoride-free one or a very small amount on their toothbrush.
Flavors
Children should find tooth brushing a pleasurable activity. The choice of toothpaste is critical in motivating youngsters to brush and care for their teeth. The majority of toothpaste available on the market has fruity flavors added. It is indicated for usage just during the early stages of a child’s introduction to toothpaste.
Abrasiveness
As mentioned before, toothpaste for children needs to be less abrasive compared to its adult counterpart. That’s because the enamel of children’s teeth is still too sensitive to handle all that abrasiveness.
ADA Seal
When looking for the best toothpaste for children, it’s critical to start with the one that the American Dental Association recommends. Their mark of approval, which appears on the box and tube, certifies that the toothpaste has been objectively examined for safety by the American Dental Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs.
Sugar-Free
Sugar is an ingredient that promotes tooth decay, so it’s something to avoid in both children and adult toothpaste brands.
You may want to read: Best Toddler Toothpaste for Developing Teeth
Wrapping it Up
Brushing your teeth regularly is critical for both children and adults. It helps eliminate bacteria and plaque to avoid tooth decay and nasty diseases of the gums.
It is beneficial for youngsters to begin brushing their teeth early on so that tooth brushing becomes ingrained in their daily habits. Children will require assistance and encouragement to master this new talent. And if you’re looking for more great recs for kids, check out our list of the best weighted blankets for kids.
Photo credit: zlikovec/Shutterstock; DentalEducation/Shutterstock;
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PaniYani/Shutterstock; Oksana Kuzmina/Shutterstock;
LightField Studios/Shutterstock; FotoHelin/Shutterstock;
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