Best Toothpastes for Kids
Table of Contents
- Intro
- Types of Toothpaste
- Overall 10 Best Toothpastes for Children
- Best Kids Toothpastes by Category
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
Many toothpaste manufacturers produce toothpaste specifically for children. The dental products put a premium on fighting cavities.
Kids toothpaste should be used in small quantities (pea-sized) until the child is older than 3.
Toothpaste is not meant to be swallowed, one reason why dentists recommend kids use small amounts of paste when they brush.
Check our list below for a top-10 toothpaste for your child.
Intro
Most babies start growing teeth at age six months, but some parents wait until their kids are 2 or 3 years to start brushing their teeth.
Like adults, kids can have dental problems such as cavities and bacterial infections. And such infection from the teeth can spread to other parts of the children’s bodies.
Dental professionals strongly advise to start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as teeth begin to grow. However, you should be careful with the type of toothpaste you use and the amount. Children are more likely than adults to swallow toothpaste accidentally — and toothpaste is not supposed to be consumed.
That is why most toothpaste made for kids is safe if it is swallowed, provided you use the correct quantity. For children under the age of 2, use toothpaste the size of a grain of rice. But for kids older than 2, use pea-sized toothpaste plus supervise them.
Types of Toothpaste
All toothpastes perform the same primary function: maintain oral hygiene. But some are made specifically to help with particular dental issues. In all, there are at least a dozen specialty types of toothpaste. But the primary types of toothpaste are:
Fluoride toothpaste
Toothpaste for sensitive teeth
Toothpaste for teeth whitening
Tartar control toothpaste
Children’s toothpaste
Fluoride toothpaste helps prevent decay and strengthen tooth enamel. Tooth decay occurs due to corrosion of teeth by acid. And the acid comes from bacteria that form tooth plaques. Even though fluoride helps prevent cavities, it can cause stomach problems if swallowed. Also, it can cause fluorosis, where your child’s teeth become discolored. That’s why most kids’ toothpastes have low or no fluoride.
Sensitive teeth feel pain when you drink something hot or cold. Tooth sensitivity results from exposed tooth root, worn enamel, and cavity. A toothpaste for sensitive teeth contains strontium chloride or potassium nitrate, which blocks the exposed parts of a tooth.
Whitening toothpaste contains abrasive material that scrubs the surface of a tooth to remove stains. Other toothpastes contain chemicals that stick to the teeth to make them appear whiter.
But since there are so many brands available, how do you know which brand is best for your kids? Below is a list of the best toothpaste for your kids.
Tartar is what accumulates on your teeth from an excess buildup of plaque. Regular brushing and flossing can remove a good deal of the plaque, and tartar-control toothpaste can help because of its intentionally abrasive makeup. However, even this specialty toothpaste will not get rid of heavy tartar buildup. For that you will need to visit your dentist.
The reason for a specialty toothpaste for children is to fight off cavities more than something like fighting tartar and to make it less corrosive on the stomach if it is swallowed. Dentists caution that many kids’ toothpastes have a high sugar content, which defeats the purpose of battling cavities.
Overall 10 Best Toothpastes for Children
Below are the 10 best toothpastes for kids, based on approval by the American Dental Association and consumer ratings. No matter the age of your child, you can find a good toothpaste for them on this list.
Kiss My Face Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
Natural Dentist Kids Cavity Zapper
Tom’s Maine Natural Children’s Toothpaste – Silly Strawberry
Aquafresh Kids Pump Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste
Tom’s and Maine Fluoride-Free Antiplaque and Whitening Toothpaste
Hello Oral Care Kids Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
Now Solution Xyliwhite Toothpaste Gel for Kids
Burt’s Bees Kids Toothpaste with Fluoride Fusion Fruit
Colgate Kids Toothpaste with Anticavity Fluoride
Colgate Kids Zero Toothpaste
Kiss My Face Fluoride Free Toothpaste
If you cannot stop your kid from swallowing toothpaste, the Kiss My Face Fluoride-free toothpaste is stomach-friendly. The toothpaste contains non-toxic natural flavors such as xylitol.
Even though this toothpaste is safe for young kids, it may not provide the same cavity protection you would get from fluoride toothpaste. You can buy it on Walmart at 8.12$, or on Amazon at $5.95 for one packet of 4 oz or 113g.
Natural Dentist Kids Cavity Zapper
Most toothpastes contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), but this one does not. SLS is potentially harmful and can irritate people with mouth sores. Another positive thing, this toothpaste has artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives, and flavors.
It also contains fluoride, which helps prevent gingivitis and cavities and reduces plaques. A packet of 141g or 5 oz costs $7.64 on Amazon. The same price applies to Walmart for a similar packet size.
Tom’s Maine Natural Children’s Toothpaste – Silly Strawberry
This toothpaste is one of the best as it excels in both taste and cleaning power. The strawberry taste appeals to most kids, but it is not so sweet as to encourage swallowing. This toothpaste has no artificial preservatives. Although it uses hydrated silica, which is a bit abrasive, the manufacturer says it is harmless.
You can buy this toothpaste on Tom’s of Maine’s website for $4.79 per 5.1 oz/144g packet. At Walmart, a packet of 4.2 oz or 119g, costs $3.44. And on Amazon, you can get three packets of 5.1 oz for $11.37.
Aquafresh Kids Pump Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste
This toothpaste provides a good option for kids who struggle with dental cavities. It contains fluoride and calcium, which help with cavities. It also contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which may raise concerns if you prefer natural toothpaste.
The bubble mint and fruity toothpaste flavors will appeal to kids over two years, who are the targets of this brand. Since this toothpaste has fluoride and SLS, ensure you supervise your child to prevent swallowing.
A packet of 4.6 oz or 130.4g costs $7.74 on Amazon with free prime shipping. On Walmart, the same quantity sells for $2.88.
Tom’s and Maine Fluoride-free Antiplaque and Whitening Toothpaste
Most adults use this toothpaste for teeth whitening. But considering that it has no fluoride, it is safe for kids above two years. It contains natural ingredients like zinc citrate, xylitol, and peppermint flavor. It is ideal for fighting plaques, removing surface stains, and preventing tartar buildup.
Two packets containing 5.5 oz or 155.9g each cost $9.01 on Amazon. You can also get it from Tom’s of Maines for $5.99 per packet and on Walmart for $4.74.
Hello Oral Care Kids Fluoride Free Toothpaste
Hello Oral Care toothpaste is best for tooth sensitivity since it does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). SLS can irritate sensitive teeth and gum. Furthermore, this toothpaste is fluoride-free and ideal for kids over two years.
It contains ingredients like xylitol, soothing aloe vera, erythritol, and silica blend. The natural watermelon taste is likely to appeal to most kids. A packet of 4.2 oz or 119g costs $3.76 on Amazon. You can also get it for $4.49 on Hello’s website.
Now Solution Xyliwhite Toothpaste Gel for Kids
Now Solution Xyliwhite is free from fluoride, sodium lauryl sulfate, sugar, and gluten. This toothpaste uses 25% xylitol, a natural sweetener that does not cause tooth decay. You can choose from strawberry, orange, and bubble gum flavor options.
Other ingredients include hydrated silica, sodium bicarbonate, glycerin, sorbitol, among others. Now Solution Xyliwhite is ideal for adults and children above two years. A packet of 3 oz or 85g costs $3.79 on Amazon. The same packet goes for $2.80 on iHerb.
Burt’s Bees Kids Toothpaste with Fluoride Fusion Fruit
Burt’s Bees Kids Toothpaste contains fluoride and hydrated silica. It is a good toothpaste for teeth strengthening, cavity prevention, and teeth whitening.
This kids toothpaste does not have sodium lauryl sulfate or artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Sweeteners from the steva plant make this toothpaste tasty for children over two years and adults.
The cost of one packet of 4.2 oz or 119g is $8.38 on Amazon. On Burt’s Bees website, the price is $3.19 for the same quantity and $8.58 on Walmart.
Colgate Kids Toothpaste with Antiactivity Fluoride
This toothpaste contains sodium fluoride, which helps prevent cavities. It helps clean plaques along the gum line, protecting the gum from infection. It is sugar and gluten-free with no preservatives. The bubble fruit flavor encourages kids to brush their teeth regularly.
This toothpaste costs $14.99 on Amazon for a pack of four, each weighing 4.6 oz or 130g. At Walmart, the price is $2.96 for a single toothpaste.
Colgate Kids Zero Toothpaste
You can try this toothpaste if your child is younger than 2 and you are worried about fluoride and artificial ingredients. It is ideal for kids ages 3 months to 24 months. It has zero artificial preservatives, flavors, colors or sweeteners.
With no fluoride or sodium lauryl sulfate, this toothpaste is safe for brushing the gums and teeth of children who can’t spit. A packet of 1.75 oz or 49.6g costs $5.75 on Amazon. You can get the same packet for $8.95 on Walmart.
Best Kids Toothpastes by Category
Below are the best kids’ toothpaste in various categories:
Best Whitening: Tom’s and Maine Fluoride-free Antiplaque and Whitening Toothpaste
Best Gum Health: Colgate Kids Toothpaste with Anticavity Fluoride
Best Sensitivity: Hello Oral Care Kids Fluoride Free Toothpaste
Best for Kids: Tom’s of Maine Natural Children’s Toothpaste – Silly Strawberry
Best Cavity Protection: Aquafresh Kids Pump Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste
Best Natural: Natural Dentist Kids Cavity Zapper
Best Fluoride Free: Kiss My Face Fluoride Free Toothpaste
Frequently Asked Questions
The overall best toothpaste for kids is the Tom’s Maine Natural Children’s Toothpaste – Silly Strawberry. It has a strawberry taste that appeals to most kids. Plus, it has no artificial preservatives.
Toothpastes with too much fluoride are not suitable for young children due to the risk of swallowing. Artificial preservatives, colors, flavors and chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate can be risky for your health. Instead, use toothpaste with many natural ingredients.