About Children's Tooth Paste

Choose a children's toothpaste for children over two years old as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Fluoride provides important protection against tooth decay but causes damage to developing teeth if ingested in doses over recommended amounts. Low fluoride children's toothpaste helps to prevent damage caused by too much fluoride.

History

Aqua Fresh® marketed the first children's toothpaste in 1985 with a bubble gum flavored version. Crest® and Oral-B® followed a couple of years later. Colgate brought its version of children's toothpaste onto store shelves in 1988. Today, more brands offer children many choices of color, flavor and ---in some cases---character labels.

Significance

Children's toothpaste may contain less fluoride and abrasive material than toothpastes for adults. However, not all children's toothpastes contain less fluoride. Colgate Junior®, Macleans Milk Teeth®, and Oral B® brands are among those that do contain lower fluoride amounts. Ingesting large amounts of even children's toothpaste can lead to tooth damage from fluorosis. Children's toothpastes contain flavors appealing to children to help them enjoy brushing regularly. Monitor young children to prevent accidental or intentional ingestion of these toothpaste.

Function

Use children's toothpaste with children eighteen months to two years and up. Prior to this age, dentists recommend using water and gauze or very soft brush to clean gums and teeth. In infancy, permanent teeth are developing below the gums and are most sensitive to over doses of fluoride.
For children 18 months to 6 years old, use only a pea-sized drop of children's toothpaste. Teach children to brush each tooth completely, spit (not swallow) and not rinse with water. Toothpaste remaining on the teeth after spitting helps to protect teeth longer.

Considerations

Along with traditional children's toothpaste, a newer version of children's toothpaste now exists. Choose one of the new fluoride-free toothpastes designed for infants 3 months to 2 years if you have younger children. A few companies now offer fluoride free toothpaste for very young consumers. Gerber®, Orajel®, and First Teeth® offer infants fluoride-free versions designed for children 3 months to 2 years old.
When shopping for children's toothpaste for 2 to 6 year olds, scan store shelves for low fluoride children's toothpaste before settling on your child's favorite color, flavor or character. Remember, not all brands of children's toothpaste are low fluoride.

Warning

Monitor children closely during teeth brushing. Fluorosis may develop if children ingest too much fluoride. Fluorosis causes discoloring of the teeth. Avoid colors and flavors children find irresistible if they insist on attempting to swallow or eat it. Keep even children's toothpaste out of their reach. Place the toothpaste on the toothbrush for children under 6 years old to make sure they don't get too much.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry