How To Pick the Right Toothpaste For Kids

As pediatric dentists, we know how important it is for your kids to have the right tools to take care of their teeth and gums. We only get to see your kids two days out of the year, so it is important they have the right toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste for the other 363 days. As a parent, the toothpaste aisle at your local grocery store can be confusing. Every toothpaste claims to have the support of 90% of the dental population and all of them say they do some percentage more than the other brands.

The Basics Of Finding The Right Toothpaste

Before comparing all of the brands, their claims, and their flavors, you should pay attention to whether or not they have an ADA label. The ADA stands for the American Dental Association. Toothpaste makers can apply for the ADA seal of acceptance program when they make new kinds of toothpaste. If the box features the ADA’s seal of acceptance you know that it has been vetted by them. In order to get the seal, toothpaste has to be safe for you and your children and effective at fighting tooth decay, cavities, and preventing gum disease.

The Importance of Fluoride

The first ingredient you should look for in a toothpaste is fluoride. Fluoride provides many benefits for kids and parents. Most importantly it makes our teeth stronger and protects them from decay. Many cities and municipalities have added fluoride to water supplies so that the general public can benefit from how it improves bone strength. In some cases, dentists will recommend a special fluoride toothpaste to kids or adults if their teeth are beginning to decay or they have issues with their enamel.

Other Toothpaste Features to Consider

Every toothpaste makes different claims about whitening, fighting tartar, preventing cavities, and other similar phrases. Let’s break down what each of these phrases actually means for you and your kids’ dental health.

• Prevents Gum Disease: Gum disease is one of the most common oral issues kids deal with. When plaque forms in the spaces between our teeth and on our gumline it can infect the gums and cause mild inflammation (known as gingivitis). A toothpaste that fights gum disease works by destroying plaque. But without proper brushing and flossing, you or your child could still develop gum disease.
• Controls Tartar: Some kinds of toothpaste can break down hardened tartar that appears on the teeth. Tartar, like plaque, can cause tooth decay and gum disease. In many cases, brushing alone will not handle tartar, and only a dental cleaning with your dentist will be able to remove all of the tartar.
• Whitens Teeth: Some types of toothpaste have polishing agents or other chemicals that can remove stains on the teeth. They do not contain the same substances used in teeth whitening treatments like bleach. And although whiter teeth may look better, it is more important for your toothpaste to fight gum disease and tooth decay.
• Fights Bad Breath: Some kinds of toothpaste have active agents in them that fight bad breath by killing the bacteria that cause bad breath. This doesn’t really have implications for your long-term oral health but can be an added benefit.

Set Up A Pediatric Dental Appointment in Chicago

If you have more questions about toothpaste, All Star Dental would be happy to discuss your kid’s dental health with you and your child. In fact, one often-overlooked element of toothpaste is its flavor. It may seem unimportant, but having a toothpaste your child likes to use will greatly impact how often they brush their teeth. Learn more about dental health and set up a dental exam with our offices in Chicago.