Bozhena Fisher, DDS, a board-certified pediatric dentist and a mother, tells Verywell Family that parents should pay attention to ingredients. “I recommend toothpaste that is more natural and has no artificial colors or flavors,” says Dr. Fisher. When it comes to cavity prevention, parents should look for toothpaste that contains fluoride. While there may be some confusion over whether or not fluoride is safe, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention clarifies that fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that is present in almost all forms of water. When applied to teeth, fluoride strengthens enamel and prevents cavities that can form after eating sugar and other refined carbohydrates. However, not every parent wants fluoride in their child’s toothpaste. Xylitol toothpaste is considered a natural alternative to fluoride because it can inhibit the growth of bacteria that causes cavities. But according to Nasem Dunlop, DDS, a mother of two and a board-certified pediatric dentist, xylitol needs to be in higher quantities to be as effective as fluoride. “Fluoride is better [than xylitol] at remineralizing the effects that daily acid and bacteria have on our teeth,” she says. Dr. Dunlop also cautions parents about sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a foaming agent that creates bubbles in toothpaste. “SLS is found in many cleaning products (e.g., soaps and shampoos) because it makes suds. When used in toothpaste, it can cause or exacerbate canker sores in kids who are prone to getting them,” Dr. Dunlop says. After speaking with three board-certified pediatric dentists, we researched a wide variety of toothpastes and prioritized factors such as active and inactive ingredients, flavor, age range, and a Seal of Acceptance from the ADA. We also considered whether a toothpaste contains fluoride and has the ability to fight and prevent cavities, while also recognizing that some parents want a fluoride-free option. Here are the best toothpastes for toddlers. Every parent knows that the better the toothpaste tastes, the more willing a child is to use it. Hello has thoughtfully created flavors like wild strawberry, dragon dazzle blue raspberry, and unicorn bubblegum that are meant to excite kids about cleaning their teeth. Each formula is sweetened naturally with xylitol and organic stevia and is as delicious as it is fun. The secret to Tanner’s realistic ice cream taste is xylitol, a sweetener derived from plants that won’t cause cavities. It’s also made without sugar, gluten, and SLS, and contains no artificial flavors and colors. And while all three ice cream flavors contain fluoride, there’s also a fluoride-free version, Baby Bling, which is meant for children under the age of 2. A great feature about the Tom’s of Maine toothpaste tubes is that they’re recyclable. However, the hole through which the toothpaste is dispensed is a bit large, which can result in more than the desired amount ending up on your child’s toothbrush. The primary purpose of Dr. Brown’s toothpaste is to teach infants about oral hygiene. It can be used twice daily in a pea-sized amount and it contains xylitol, which can reduce bacteria that cause cavities. Since this toothpaste doesn’t contain fluoride, it doesn’t qualify to receive the ADA’s Seal of Acceptance. In addition to fluoride, you won’t find any SLS, triclosan, artificial flavors and sweeteners, or preservatives in this toothpaste. And while it may not contain fluoride, it can remove plaque with the help of hydrated silica, an abrasive ingredient commonly found in toothpaste. If your child is ready to brush their own teeth, Orajel’s Anticavity Toothpaste is a great choice. It’s specially formulated for independent brushers and contains no artificial colors, sweeteners, dyes, or SLS. This toothpaste is also sugar-free, which may make it a good option for diabetics. Instead of sugar, it’s sweetened with sorbitol and stevia, which are naturally derived from fruits, vegetables, and plants. If your child is diabetic, be sure to check with their pediatrician before selecting a toothpaste, though. The mildly flavored strawberry toothpaste is sweetened with xylitol and contains no SLS, artificial flavors, sweeteners, or dyes. You also won’t find any sugar, parabens, or abrasives in this toothpaste. The training toothbrush (included) has extra-soft bristles that are gentle on your baby’s gums. When it comes to ingredients, this toothpaste is made almost entirely of natural ingredients. You won’t find any gluten, dyes, or artificial flavors in it; however, it does contain cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), a compound made from coconuts that may contain impurities and on rare occasions can cause irritation if left on the skin for too long. Although this toothpaste doesn’t contain fluoride, it does contain xylitol, which may help reduce the bacteria that causes cavities.
What to Look for in Toothpaste
American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance
When selecting toothpaste for your toddler, the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance can be a great starting point to evaluate your options. Although all oral care products are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the ADA Seal of Acceptance often goes beyond FDA requirements. When a toothpaste brand receives the organization’s stamp, it means the product contains the right amount of fluoride to protect tooth enamel and has been rigorously tested to meet safety and efficacy requirements developed by the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs. Keep in mind, however, that the lack of the ADA Seal of Acceptance doesn’t necessarily mean the toothpaste is unsafe. Fluoride-free toothpaste, for example, won’t have the approval because it doesn’t have that specific ingredient, which the organization lists as a requirement.
Active Ingredients
When choosing a toothpaste for your toddler, look for one that has fluoride as its active ingredient. On the packaging, this might look like sodium fluoride, stannous fluoride, or sodium monofluorophosphate. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, prevents cavities, and is an important part of your toddler’s oral hygiene regimen. For children younger than 2 years old, the ADA recommends using a smear (no larger than a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste. For children 2-6 years old, the ADA recommends a pea-sized amount, which is approximately 0.25 grams of toothpaste or 0.25 milligrams of fluoride. If you prefer to avoid fluoride, the next best alternative is xylitol. According to the California Dental Association, xylitol may help prevent cavities because it can reduce the bacteria that cause them. However, xylitol must be used more often and in larger quantities than fluoride to be effective, and more research is needed to fully understand its benefits.
Potential Irritants
When brushing your toddler’s teeth, the last thing you want is for them to suffer from some sort of reaction. Grace Yum, DDS, mother and board-certified pediatric dentist, advises parents against using a toothpaste that contains abrasives (e.g., calcium carbonate), which are good for removing stains and debris but can be too strong for a toddler’s enamel. “It’s smart to avoid ingredients that can be irritating or cause allergic reactions,” says Dr. Yum. “These include artificially colored dyes, which can cause a swollen tongue or itchiness, or SLS, which is a cleaning agent that can cause sores in the mouth for some.”
Flavor
When it comes to brushing a toddler’s teeth, flavor is something that parents shouldn’t overlook. If a toothpaste tastes good, a toddler will likely be more welcoming of it and more willing to brush their teeth regularly. Dr. Yum recommends going for “kid-approved flavors” like strawberry and bubblegum, as children can be “picky about the overall taste of toothpaste.”
Age Range
Dr. Yum also notes that parents should always check the age range of a toothpaste before using it on their child. “Depending on the age of the child and if they have teeth, certain toothpastes are more appropriate than others. For example, if your little one has no teeth yet, I would recommend sticking to training toothpaste without fluoride,” Dr. Yum says.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Laura Lu is an experienced health writer who has a Master of Science degree in Health Communication. She’s also a mother to two young children and has plenty of experience brushing a wiggly, picky, toddler’s teeth. In every facet of life, she strives to use products that don’t contain artificial flavors or dyes and chooses organic ingredients whenever possible. Her children thoroughly enjoy the “strawberry cake” taste of Hello Kids Fluoride Toothpaste, which has officially put her family’s brush-time battles to bed. For young toddlers who cannot yet spit, the AAP suggests having the child tilt his or her mouth down while brushing so that the toothpaste can dribble out into the sink, a cup, or a washcloth.
