With the wide variety of toothpaste brands and styles available, the options are almost endless and people of all ages sometimes have a difficult time choosing the brand that best fits their needs. This can especially be tricky when it comes to toothpaste for children. We are continually surprised with how many patients and parents ask us what kind of toothpaste to use while visiting us in our office.
When advertisements on television and the Internet proclaim one brand to be the best for children, it can often be confusing for parents to decide as everyone thinks their product is the best. Well, which one is it? And, is the answer universal or patient specific. Finding the correct toothbrush – which can also be a chore — is important as well. So, we are really looking for a great combination that feels comfortable and makes children want to brush and keep up a good habit.
First off, we are pretty much all aware of the benefits of brushing in general. Besides the obvious aspects of keeping the mouth and teeth clean, brushing also keeps breath smelling good and improves chewing and jaw development as teeth can be maintained in their original form without modification due to cavities. Good tooth brushing habits should start once the first teeth sprout.
With all the different kinds of brands on the market, many in fact do the same thing as their competitors, including: removing plaque and stains; possessing fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel; and even have tasty flavoring that makes kids not want to spit out the paste. And once you look deeper, you notice subtle differences in each type.
For one, fluoride intake should be regulated by the parents. While fluoride is not harmful and works well to strengthen enamel, too much of it can also lead to a condition called dental fluorosis — which involves too much fluoride intake. Typically, fluorosis comes from certain water supplies with excess fluoride as opposed to surface application of fluoride through toothpaste. Some brands also contain sodium lauryl sulfate, which can cause mouth ulcers in some children.
Additionally, it is unlikely necessary to use whitening toothpastes in children. They have a lifetime of brushing ahead of them and the abrasive particles that scrub stains from the surface of teeth (not inside the teeth) will wear the enamel thinner (albeit very slowly) so use of this type of toothpaste is likely unnecessary and not recommended. Also, so many parents get concerned when the front teeth begin to erupt as they often look relatively yellow compared to the adjacent baby teeth which have a different type of enamel that looks paper white. It is imprudent to try to whiten the teeth when half are adult and half are baby teeth as there may be two colored teeth when more adult teeth do arrive!
When it comes to toothbrushes, we simply recommend an extra soft bristle and one that easily fits in your child’s mouth. Fancy brushes are not needed but if you prefer one, a sonicare or oral b sonic toothbrush is the way to go. $10 spin brushes do not spin fast enough to make an appreciable difference and are often too large for children’s mouths. They are not recommended.
So, what’s the best brand? Well, it kind of depends on age. For babies, you want to use a children’s fluoride toothpaste but pea sized quantities in a smear across the top of the bristles. After children have an opinion about brushing and begin helping, they can play a role in the choice but whitening toothpastes are not recommended for kids with a mixed dentition of baby and adult teeth. Toothbrushes should be right-sized for your child’s mouth and contain extra soft bristles. Brushing should last for a timed 2 minutes at least 2 times a day.
About Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontic Specialists of Michigan, the offices of Drs. Delaney, 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 office gives patients and families a more comfortable and consistent experience with dentistry from the very beginning. The pediatric dentists treat children from newborn to 18 years of age while our orthodontists provide care for both children and adults, including being an Invisalign preferred provider. The ability to treat all special needs patients reaches beyond our facility, which has treatment rooms available for children who require additional privacy. Valued hospital affiliations allow dental services to be performed at DMC Children’s Hospital and St. John’s Hospital Macomb when needed. Our specialists are also on staff at Henry Ford and Beaumont hospitals.
