Every parent wants the best for their children and that includes aiming to provide only the best products for our kids. We all feel more comfortable when we know products have been vetted by experts.
Parents and guardians in our office often ask us about oral health products. Go to the local store and look at the number of choices we have for toothbrushes and toothpastes, mouthguards, sugar-free gums… It’s hard to decide which is best for you and your children when fancy packaging and commercials can possibly mislead you.
The ADA compiled a handy shopping list of all ADA-accepted dental products for children! You can download it here and feel more comfortable when shopping.
Our tips for shopping for dental hygiene/protective products:
- Look for the ADA seal
- Remember that not all mouth rinses are created equal. Kids don’t need the same mouthwash you use, even if yours is also ADA-accepted
- Alcohol mouthrinse might be too “spicy” for children and is more appropriate for adults trying to manage periodontal/gingivitis risks
- Fluoride mouthrinse is much more desirable for growing children to help fortify teeth as they are forming
- Let your kids choose from the ADA-accepted products. If you are comfortable with a handful of choices, maybe they have a preference based on the packaging or characters they put on the box. If they have ownership of the decision, they may be more likely to use it
However, you don’t have to be restricted by ADA-accepted products either.
Sometimes, all it takes is a cute toothbrush and toothpaste combo to get your child to love brushing. And we want them to love brushing, not hate it because they don’t like their toothbrush/toothpaste. Developing positive dental hygiene habits is extremely important. If your child happens to have a fierce loyalty to a certain product and wouldn’t let it go, you can let it go for now. If it doesn’t do any harm, it’s okay. And, if you aren’t sure, do not hesitate to ask us about it and we will help guide you in the right direction.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Plunkett, Ralstrom, Makowski, Thanasas, Ker, and Associates
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan have specialized in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics since 1968. Our family-friendly and newly renovated office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. Our pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults and are proud to be Premier Providers of Invisalign and Invisalign Teen services. The ability to treat all patients with compassion and individuality, including those that may have special needs reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy and customized care options. We pioneered valued hospital affiliations to allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John Macomb Hospital, when appropriate or necessary, and our specialists are also proud to be on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.