Truly, as a parent to a six-month or older toddler, it is difficult to get them into a consistent oral hygiene habit. Specifically, you understand how important it is to eliminate the cavity-causing bacteria, but your child doesn’t. Therefore, you need a way to make brushing a fun and engaging process. Although there is plenty of baby
toothpaste in the market today, not all of them are toddler-friendly. Therefore, this article will provide some of the best toothpaste alternatives and let you in on some crucial information regarding your child’s oral hygiene.
1. When Can You Use Toothpaste on Your Baby?
To illustrate, experts from AAPD recommend that you should start brushing your child’s teeth the moment the first tooth starts peeking in.
Now, if your baby is 36 months or less, clean their teeth using a very limited size of toothpaste (about the size of a rice grain). Likewise, use a pea-sized amount if the child is three years or older; for children over six years, use one centimeter.
Child Brushing Teeth
2. Ingredients in Baby Toothpaste to Avoid
SLS
Indeed, sodium lauryl (or Laureth) sulfate is a common ingredient used in most toothpaste brands. Since it is a harsh detergent, it may expose your child’s fragile oral environment to different risks, including sore canker outbreaks.
Saccharin Sodium
Indeed, this compound contains harmful ingredients such as ammonia, chlorine, nitrous acid, and sulfur dioxide. Moreover, ammonia and chlorine are toxic compounds that may lead to cancer upon regular use.
Artificial Colorings
Although children have a normal attraction to vibrant shades, don’t use this fact to determine what toothpaste to buy for your toddler. Additionally, most of these ingredients start with “CI” and try to avoid them.
Early Start on Brushing Teeth
Artificial Preservatives
Also, artificial preservatives such as Triclosan can penetrate your child’s gums and cause different allergies. Similarly, some reports suggest that this particular preservative is the risk of endocrine disruption.
Sweetener
First, Saccharin, the most common form of toothpaste sweeteners, is made using coal tar. Although it can leave a good taste in the baby’s mouth, too many sweeteners may make the baby eat by error. Also, one more thing to note is that too much sweetener can cause babies to prefer sweets.
3. How to Choose the Best Baby Toothpaste?
Does it Contain Fluorine?
Thus, if your child is old enough to rinse their mouth, settle for a toothpaste with adequate levels of fluorine.
Ingredient List
In essence, the first thing you should consider in a baby toothpaste is its contents. Hence, it should not contain chlorine, paraben, and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS).
Taste
In the same way, try to avoid baby toothpaste with candy flavors and instead opt for the fruit flavors. Additionally, common baby toothpaste tastes range from strawberry to orange and banana to natural flavors.
Girl Holding Toothbrush and Toothpaste
pH Value
Indeed, the neutral PH value can maintain the acid-base balance in the oral cavity, thereby preventing the formation of dental plaque and inhibiting tooth decay. On the one hand, too low a pH will cause demineralization of the tooth surface, resulting in tooth sensitivity and dental caries. On the other hand, too high a PH value will stimulate the cavity mucosa, cause mucosal diseases and cause bad breath. Therefore, the normal PH value should range between 6.6 and 7.1.
4. Best Baby Toothpaste for Protection of Dental Health
Red Seal Toothpaste For Kids
Recommended Reason:
- Fights cavities; It is gluten, paraben and SLS-free and gentle on your children’s teeth and gums.
- Naturally sweetened and flavored
- No harsh and stinging minty taste.
Taste: Banana, Peach, and Fresh bubblegum flavor
Shelf life: 26 months
Jack N’ Jill Natural Toothpaste
Recommended Reason:
- It has an adorable packaging design with double flip top caps.
- Free of preservatives, BPA, SLS, color, sugar, and fluoride.
- The ingredients used are all-natural.
- It contains xylitol that fights germs and adds sweetness.
Taste: Strawberry, raspberry, banana, blueberry, and blackcurrant.
Shelf life: 36 months
Dr. Brown’s Infant-to-Toddler Toothbrush Set
Recommended Reason:
- First, it comes included with a toddler-friendly toothbrush/toothpaste.
- It comes with a toothbrush that has an interactive, super cute design.
- The brush has four legs that enable you to place it in an upright position once you’re done with brushing.
- Also, it is fluoride-free hence safe to swallow.
Taste: Strawberry
Shelf life: 24 months
Baby Toothpaste–Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Children’s Toothpaste
Recommended Reason:
- You get more for less when you buy the 3-set package.
- It is an all-vegan and all-natural toothpaste free of colors, preservatives, or artificial flavors.
- It is a favorite among kids because of its natural, delicious taste.
Taste: Mild Fruit
Shelf life: 36 months
Baby Toothpaste–Spry All-Natural Kids Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
Recommended Reasons:
- Ingredients used are healthy and safe to swallow.
- Xylitol, the main ingredient, prevents cavities and sweetens the toothpaste.
- A fair concentration of xylitol will not create acid or ferment in the mouth.
Taste: Strawberry banana flavor, grapefruit seed extract.
Shelf life: 26 months
Baby Toothpaste–Natural Dentist Cavity Zapper for Kids
Recommended Reason:
- It contains 0.24% of sodium fluoride; this is just the right amount required to fight off cavity-causing bacteria.
- 70% of Amazon shoppers gave this product a five-star rating.
- It contains soothing ingredients such as coconut oil and aloe vera to soothe painful spots.
- Besides, it Is made with tasty plant-based polishing agents.
Taste: Grape flavor
Shelf life: 24 months
Oral-B Stages Frozen Toothpaste
Recommended Reason:
- Features highly attractive packaging that’s sure to catch your child’s attention.
- The barrier that the stannous fluoride forms on your child’s teeth prevents erosion and protects enamel.
- If your child has discolored teeth, rely on Oral B to eliminate 96% of the discoloration.
- Reduces the number of problems with the gums by up to 57%.
- The nozzle has a special design that produces the toothpaste in fun shapes.
Taste: Sweet minty flavor
Shelf life: 36 months
Baby Toothpaste–Burt’s Bees Kids Toothpaste
Recommended Reason:
- contains clinically-proven fluoride that helps fight cavities.
- The sparkles, fun color, and fruity flavor make brushing fun and enjoyable for kids.
- Accepted by the ADA.
Taste: Fruit fusion flavor
Shelf life: 36 months
Baby Toothpaste–How to Brush Your Baby’s Teeth?
Indeed, it’s a good idea to incorporate good oral hygiene habits into your little one from a very young age. Therefore, keep reading to find out the recommended steps to follow when cleaning your baby’s fragile gums and teeth.
Babies Between 0 and 6 Months
For newborns, use a terrycloth finger cot or a washcloth to clean their gums. Immediately after breastfeeding, dampen the cloth or finger cot and use it to cover your index finger. Here, the months leading up to the growth of their first set of teeth will be tricky, considering there will be discomforts such as chewing, drooling – teething signs.
Accordingly, massage the tender gums using the damp cloth or finger cot. Furthermore, because their gums are somewhat inflamed, you may need to gently apply a little more pressure to ease the discomfort and pain that comes with teething.
Brushing Baby’s Teeth
Baby Toothpaste–Babies Between 6-12 Months
Indeed, six months is the average period your baby will start growing their first tooth. In this instance, switch from a cloth to a soft-bristled toothbrush designed ideally for toddlers and young infants. Therefore, if your baby has a single tooth, we recommend using a silicone baby finger toothbrush.
First, lay them down gently as you support their head. Next, use one hand to brush the teeth and the other to lift the cheeks and lips. Now, brush the front and back surfaces as gently as possible to lower the risk of gum bleeding or gum disease. Then, let them swallow the toothpaste after a thorough brushing.
Always rinse your child’s mouth after brushing. However, try not to do it immediately. Now, wait some time to avoid reducing the preventative effects of the toothpaste’s concentrated fluoride.
Baby Having Teeth Brushed
Summary
In conclusion, we strongly recommend Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Toddler Training Toothpaste as the number one baby toothpaste. To illustrate, the mild fruity flavor and its lack of nasty chemicals and harsh dyes make it suitable to use on kids of all ages.
Furthermore, the ingredients used are 100% all-natural and ADA approved. Either way, feel free to pick your ideal toothpaste from the wide range of options above.
Truly, we hope this article will help you to make brushing a daily part of your child’s life. Also, we look forward to discussing plenty of other parenting knowledge with you!