“What type of toothpaste should I use for my child?”

This is a topic parents ask me about daily, and for good reason! With so many toothpaste brands out there, I too would be unsure about what would be suitable to use for my own children. A simple glance at the toothpaste aisle at a local drugstore could leave any parent feeling confused and overwhelmed.

There is also a lot of confusion when it comes to proper labelling of “infant” toothpastes. Many brands label these products in such a way that it gives parents the impression that fluoride-based products are unsafe for 0-2 year old children. 

However, research has proven this otherwise – According to both the American and Canadian Academies of Pediatric Dentistry, children should begin using a “grain-of-rice” sized amount of fluoride toothpaste as soon as their first teeth erupt. With this in mind, it is completely safe for a child to swallow this amount of fluoride toothpaste.

One thing to note is that British Columbia does not carry out public water fluoridation. So, as soon as your little ones are able to spit, the amount of fluoride toothpaste used can be increased to that of a pea.

With respect to children’s’ versus adult toothpaste, there is no difference in the fluoride content. The only difference here, is that toothpaste geared for children, tend to have milder flavors and omit ingredients like whitening agents or baking soda.

With that in mind, it’s always essential to set your child up for success when it comes to developing healthy brushing habits. Sometimes all it takes is finding a toothpaste with a flavor that your child likes….and happy brushing! Want more resources on how to properly care for your little ones’ teeth? Make sure to check out our page on oral care by age group HERE. 

Lolo Pediatric Dentistry is more than happy to welcome new patients, offering compassionate and thorough dental services for babies and children. Get in touch with us at 604-770-0890 or fill out our contact form, to get started!