Dentists encourage us to start brushing our baby's teeth even before they have teeth. When their first tooth pokes through parents are even encouraged to go and speak with their pediatric dentist to make sure that there are no major issues with their incoming teeth. In the past, parents weren't instructed to go to the dentist until all of their teeth had come ina and many dentists didn't even see children under five years old. There are so many unknowns with dental hygiene when it comes to babies, like, is baby toothpaste harmful?
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Humana says, "You might be surprised to learn that, even without teeth, your baby's mouth needs some regular attention. Breast milk, formula, and water are the only things your baby consumes for the first few months." They continue, "While all of them are healthy, the breast milk and formula do contain natural sugars. When left in your baby's mouth, the sugars can create bacteria that produce tooth decay. And while your baby's teeth may not yet have come in, they are just below the surface and can be affected by any bacteria that grow in the mouth." Taking care of the gums is not very difficult. Once or twice a day rub a wet cloth of their gums.
Once their teeth start coming in then you can use a baby toothbrush. When you are choosing a toothbrush for your baby it should have soft bristles, small head, and with a large handle. But, what should you do for baby toothpaste? As soon as the baby's teeth start to erupt it is important to start adding fluoride toothpaste to their toothbrush. Fluoride is essential for proper dental hygiene and health. Many parents skip the toddler toothpaste but that is probably detrimental to health. Fluoride toothpaste, if swallowed in large quantities, can be harmful to toddlers. Therefore parents should only put a very small amount on their toothbrush. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association (ADA), "encourages brushing with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste – a smear the size of a grain of rice for kids under 3 and a pea-size amount for those 3 to 6 – as soon as the teeth erupt. Stick to these small amounts of toothpaste to ensure your baby or toddler doesn’t ingest too much of the stuff, since “children may not be able to rinse and spit,” Patel explains. Babies and toddlers also aren’t able to thoroughly brush their own teeth, so you’ll have to do it for them."
Most parents, when they are shopping for baby/toddler toothpaste, they head straight for the section that is "Flouride free." Mitali Y. Patel, DDS, a board-certified pediatric dentist and program director of the pediatric dentistry residency at Children’s National Health System in Washington, DC said, "Parents should look for a kids’ fluoridated toothpaste with the ADA Seal of Acceptance," she continues, " While it’s true that fluoride can cause adverse effects like mildly discolored permanent teeth (fluorosis) if it’s swallowed in large amounts, it’s safe in the kids’ doses recommended above. In fact, dentists prefer toddler and baby toothpaste with fluoride because of their anti-cavity properties.
There have been dentists in the past who have claimed that it really doesn't have to do with the toothpaste at all and the most important part is just using the toothbrush with a little bit of water. Some dentists have then said that toddlers don't actually need flouride because their teeth aren't as important and they could accidentally swallow the fluoride. Actually, the fluoride is very important for their teeth and should be used but should just be used in a very small amount.
The type of fluoride toothpaste that you choose for your toddler doesn't matter as long as it is ADA-approved. Some parents choose their specific toothpaste due to the type of ingredients or flavorings.
Some of the best baby and toddler toothpaste include:
- Tom’s of Maine Anticavity Fluoride Children’s Toothpaste: “The toothpaste has a very subtle strawberry flavor and my baby doesn’t seem to mind it. She might actually like it,” shares one Amazon reviewer. Another Amazon customer raves, “This toothpaste makes my kids brush their teeth like 10 times in a row.
- Burt’s Bees Kids Toothpaste: An Amazon reviewer swears it’s made brushing way easier: “I have never seen a toddler look forward to brushing! He loves the taste and is always cooperative to open his mouth while I brush his teeth.”
- Tanner’s Tasty Paste Anti-Cavity Fluoride Toothpaste: "It was created by a pediatric dentist and mom, so you know it means business. And the wacky taste could seriously come in clutch for kids who don’t like mint; in fact, Amazon reviewers say it’s ideal for children with sensory disabilities."
- Crest Kids’ Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste: "Your go-to adult toothpaste brands carry baby and toddler toothpaste too. This kids’ toothpaste fights cavities with fresh bubblegum flavor"
- Colgate Fluoride Toothpaste Cavity Protection for Kids: “My 3-year-old twins got this in a trial size from their last dentist appointment and have been asking for it ever since. They enjoy the flavor enough that it has made brushing their teeth less miserable,” shares an Amazon reviewer.
- Hello Oral Care SLS-Free Fluoride Toothpaste for Kids: This Amazon review really says it all: “Yeah baby!! When you find a toothpaste that four toddlers are willing to brush their teeth with, you go big and buy the four pack. This has eliminated so many bedtime tantrums, and, as a result, clumps of my hair left on the bathroom floor after pulling it out due to the dreaded brushing teeth ritual. Thank you, Hello!”
Don't be afraid of giving your baby or toddler a toothpaste that has fluoride in it just because you are afraid of them swallowing the fluoride. A little bit of fluoride is not going to harm them and Flouride is important for their oral health. Just make sure you are only using a small amount of fluoride like the size of a grain. If you have any questions make sure that you discuss all of your questions and concerns with your child's dentist.