At the office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA, parents often ask us how to choose the best toothpaste for their child. Toothpaste is big business, and there are dozens of options available. Our professional team is committed to your child’s oral health, and wants to play an active role in helping them develop good dental practices that will last a lifetime.
Here are some handy toothpaste tips to keep in mind for your child:
- Fluoride:Fluoride toothpaste is best for children three and over, as it plays an essential role in strengthening tooth enamel.
- Flavor:Oral hygiene should be comfortable and pleasant for your child. It’s important to choose toothpaste your child likes – or at least tolerates. There are a wide variety of options from which to choose, like strawberry, gentle mint, or bubble gum.
- Mild Abrasives:Make sure the abrasives in your child’s toothpaste are intended for children. The harsher abrasives in adult toothpaste that are designed to remove tough stains are too rough for young teeth.
- The ADA Seal: The American Dental Association (ADA) evaluates toothpaste for safety and effectiveness. A toothpaste with the ADA seal has all the right ingredients to protect your child’s teeth from cavities.
- Toothpaste and Very Young Children: You can start using toothpaste on a toothbrush as soon as your child’s first teeth appear. Ingesting fluoride can be harmful to young children, so make sure that you initially use a fluoride-free toothpaste. Once your child gets a little older and can spit and rinse effectively, you can switch him or her over to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste with fluoride.
- Switching to Adult Toothpaste: According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, it’s acceptable to switch to an adult toothpaste when your child reaches 9 or 10 years of age.
Committed to your child’s oral health:
At the office of Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA, we offer the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care for your family’s needs. We will be happy to recommend the right toothpaste for your child, keeping his or her unique needs and any special considerations, such as sensitivities or weak enamel, in mind. For more information about the services we provide, give us a call today.
By Perry L. Jeffries, DDS and Associates, PA
April 12, 2022
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