If you’ve ever seen the children’s dental aisle at the grocery store, you know it can be a little overwhelming. Today, our Children’s Dental Center team will let you know: How do I choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste for my child?
First Thing’s First: Fluoride!
Fluoride is a secret weapon when it comes to cleaning and maintaining teeth. This is especially important for kiddos, who are much more vulnerable to decay due to many sugary snacks and drinks and occasionally inconsistent oral hygiene practices. Here’s what makes this ingredient so great:
- Strengthening Enamel and New Teeth: Enamel is what we call the hard outer layer of teeth. Fluoride mineralizes enamel to make it more resistant to acid attacks from sugar and bacteria. For kids, this counts even more since their enamel may still be developing. The same goes for strengthening teeth still forming underneath the gums, before they erupt.
- Preventing Cavities: Studies have shown that fluoride can reduce the risk of cavities by 60%. Adding this extra measure of protection for children is a no-brainer.
- Balancing Oral Bacteria: Fluoride can help reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth by lowering acid levels and fostering a healthier oral environment for kids.
So, before anything else, make sure your child’s toothpaste includes fluoride and that it’s being applied on the toothbrush in the right amounts (about the size of a grain of rice for young children and a pea-sized amount for older kids).
Our Children’s Dental Center team can also apply topical fluoride treatments to provide a strong barrier during our appointments. During your visit, you can ask Dr. Rowland, Dr. Selecman, Dr. Daniel, Dr. Greene, or Dr. Church about the benefits of this.
Talking Toothpaste
When selecting a toothpaste for your child, we suggest you consider these factors:
- Age-Appropriate Formula: Most toothpastes will be labeled for their intended age groups (i.e., 0-2 years, 3-5 years, etc). This can be important in terms of choosing the right fluoride levels for your kids.
- ADA Seal of Approval: When a toothpaste is stamped with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance, it ensures that it’s a safe and effective choice, free from any harmful ingredients.
- Flavor and Texture: There are some wild flavors of toothpaste out there—but sometimes, these can be a creative way to encourage your kids to brush consistently. Allow your kids to sample a few over time and see what they prefer, especially if they show an aversion to traditional mint (many do). Also, consider a low-abrasion toothpaste for developing enamel, especially while kids are still learning how to brush properly.
- Natural Options: These are more prevalent than they used to be! Some parents might prefer brands with fewer artificial ingredients or dyes, especially if their children have allergies.
The Best Brush
In addition to toothpaste, your child will need an excellent toothbrush! We have some great tips for choosing one:
- Soft Bristles: A soft-bristled brush is absolutely ideal for young enamel and sensitive gums. You don’t want to over-brush young teeth or tissues.
- Small Brush Head: Pay attention to the size of the brush’s head to find one that will clean your children’s teeth most easily. They should be able to reach all areas of the mouth without struggling too much, especially to ensure the back teeth are being cleaned.
- Fun Designs: You’ll find a whole cast of characters when shopping for a child’s toothbrush and toothpaste! By all means, if this personalization helps them enjoy brushing more, pick one out. The same goes for favorite colors.
- Manual vs Electric: Both kinds of toothbrushes can work well for kids, so it might boil down to what your child prefers. Electric toothbrushes can come with timers or music to help kids measure their brushing duration while also making cleaning more simple.
- Replace Every 3 Months: Please do not let your child’s toothbrush get worn out. The bristles can become worn down and unclean, and bacteria can potentially develop over time.
Brushing Best Practices
Finally, here are three pro tips that can help make brushing more easy, healthier, and effective for your child.
- Supervise: For young children (and some older children), keep an eye on them while they brush to ensure it’s being done correctly.
- Keep Time: Set a timer for two minutes twice a day. This can be useful when kids don’t already have a timer built into their brush.
- Encourage Storage and Cleanliness: Remind kids to place their brush upright when they’re finished to keep it nice and clean.
When it comes to kids brushing their teeth, it can be hard to get the ball rolling—but like anything, it can soon become second nature with practice. You can rely on us for further advice! We look forward to seeing you in Arlington, Collierville, or Midtown.