The Best Toothpaste for My Child and How Much Should be Used

Any toothpaste that has the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal is a great toothpaste for your child. There are so many different looks, flavors, and tastes of toothpastes. The best thing to do to find the right toothpaste is to experiment. Not only will it be a good way for yourself to know what your child likes, but they will find brushing fun and they will want to do it more. Without the ADA seal on the toothpaste tube, you are putting your child at risk of harsh abrasives that remove tooth enamel and weaken teeth. Some non-ADA brands may contain sodium lauryl sulfate which can cause painful ulcers in some children’s mouths. Although fluoride is good for your child’s teeth because it strengthens and repels bacteria, too much fluoride can harm primary teeth. This harm of fluoride is called fluorosis.

The best way to prevent fluorosis is the look at the amount of fluoride your child uses. To prevent too much fluoride, your child’s age determines how much toothpaste should be used. For a child younger than two, a small, smeared amount of paste on the brush is the best recommendation, and for children ages 2-5, a pea-size amount is recommended. To help prevent fluorosis at such a young age, children who are not able to spit should not be using toothpaste with fluoride. To prevent fluorosis and other harming factors of toothpaste and how much should be used, set up an appointment with a pediatric dental specialist to ensure good, healthy hygiene.