• Home
  • Contact
  • Blog
Emergency Line 212-267-0029
HealthFlex
×
  • Meet the Doctor
  • Services
    • Sedation Dentistry
    • Tooth cleaning and polishing
    • Tooth Colored Fillings and Sealants
    • Prevention
    • Digital X-rays
    • Teeth maintenance
    • Tooth Extractions
    • Laser Dentistry
  • Children’s Dental Topics
    • How to Avoid Fear of the Dentist
    • Tips For Infant Oral Health
    • Care of Your Child’s Teeth
    • Cavity Prevention
    • Digital X-rays
    • Diet & Dental Health
    • Eruption and Exfoliation Schedule
    • Mouth Guards/Protectors
    • Pacifiers
    • Perinatal & Infant Oral Health
    • Sippy Cups
    • Sports Drinks & Sodas
    • Thumb Sucking
    • Tooth Grinding
  • Pediatric Dental Emergencies
    • Toothache
    • Knocked-Out Teeth
    • Cut or Bite on Cheek, Lip or Tongue
    • Maxillary Frenum Tear
    • Severe Blow to the Head
    • Possible Broken or Fractured Jaw
  • Online Booking

Parents’ Guide to Toothpastes

Parents’ Guide to Toothpastes
August 24, 2021Articles

Over 16 million American children have tooth decay, making it the most common childhood disease and resulting in over 51 million lost school hours per year! Since I know that my patients’ parents want to avoid cavities in their kiddos’ teeth, I’m going to go into the weeds of toothpaste options to help them select the right one for their child(ren).

What To Look For in a Toothpaste

There are several things to look for when choosing a toothpaste.

1. The ADA Seal of Approval

The seal of approval will be prominently displayed on the box. This seal is your indication that the product has been tested by the ADA to ensure that it works.

2. The Toothpaste Contains Fluoride

The American Dental Association has recommended fluoride-containing toothpaste for over 50 years because it has been proven to reduce cavities. The caveat? Be sure your child spits out all of it and completely rinses his or her mouth to avoid swallowing the fluoride toothpaste. Ingesting too much fluoride can cause fluorosis, a permanent staining of the adult teeth due to ingesting too much fluoride in childhood.

3. The Toothpaste Tastes Good to Your Child

Since the goal is to get your child to brush twice a day for 2 minutes each time, it’s important that they like the taste of the toothpaste. That mint-flavored toothpaste that you enjoy as an adult may taste “too spicy” to a child. Kids’ toothpastes come in all kinds of kid-oriented flavors, like strawberry, bubblegum and others. Keep trying them until you find one that your kiddo will enjoy.

4. Avoid the Abrasives in Toothpastes for Kids

While we do need some abrasive ingredients to eliminate debris and surface stains on our teeth, these abrasives can damage a child’s enamel. This is especially true of whitening toothpastes that often contain silica gel, aluminum oxide, and magnesium and/or calcium carbonates. Check the label for these ingredients and avoid using whitening toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush.

The Bottom Line:

If you want your child to brush twice a day with the least amount of fuss, find a toothpaste in a flavor that he or she likes. Make sure it’s ADA approved.

Add Comment Cancel


Recent Posts

  • How much Sugar is hiding in your food?
  • What’s in Your Toothpaste?
  • Most Sports-Related Dental Injuries Are Preventable and Treatable
  • Secondhand Smoke and Gum Disease in Children
  • Holiday Dental Emergencies

Recent Comments

    Categories

    • Articles
    • Kids
    • Teens

    Request Appointment

      Your Name (required)

      Your Email (required)

      Reason for visit

      Your Message

      Latest Articles

      Archives

      • August 2021
      • July 2018
      • June 2018
      • May 2018
      • April 2018
      • March 2018
      • February 2018
      • January 2018
      • December 2017
      • November 2017
      • October 2017
      • September 2017
      • August 2017
      • July 2017
      • June 2017
      • May 2017
      • April 2017
      • March 2017
      • February 2017
      • December 2016
      • November 2016
      • October 2016
      • September 2016
      • August 2016
      • July 2016
      • June 2016
      • May 2016
      • April 2016
      • March 2016
      • February 2016
      • January 2016
      • December 2015
      • November 2015
      • October 2015
      • September 2015
      • August 2015
      • July 2015
      • June 2015
      • May 2015
      • April 2015
      • March 2015
      • February 2015
      • January 2015
      • December 2014
      • November 2014
      • October 2014
      • September 2014
      • August 2014
      • July 2014

      ismileKids

      Welcome to iSmile Kids Pediatric Dentistry. We have a passion to provide optimal oral health care for infants, children and adolescents!

      • 212-267-0029
      • mail@iSmileKids.com
      • Trinity Building 111 Broadway, 17th Floor New York, N.Y. 10006

      Quick Links

      • Meet the Doctor
      • Services
      • Contact
      • Request an Appointment

      Latest Articles

      • How much Sugar is hiding in your food? Aug 24

        All of my NYC pediatric dental patients’ parents know that...

      • What’s in Your Toothpaste? Aug 24

        Have you seen the credit card commercials with the line,...

      Copyright ©2021 all rights reserved
      Developed by OBT Creative