There are so many different varieties of toothpaste on the market today, it can be hard to know what’s best for your children. Many patients ask us if children’s toothpaste is just a marketing gimmick or if it’s actually necessary for kids.

Kids toothpaste is made especially for deciduous teeth and for young bodies.

While your children are very young, teaching them how to brush can be a little tricky. Many kids struggle to ‘spit’ out all their toothpaste after brushing, as their instinct is to swallow.

For this reason, children’s toothpaste is not harmful if swallowed. That’s not to say we encourage children to swallow toothpaste – as they do need to learn to spit out their toothpaste, however if your toddler or child swallows small amounts of their children’s toothpaste occasionally, it won’t harm them.

It’s important to choose a children’s toothpaste that still contains fluoride. Usually the amount of fluoride is slightly less than the amount in adult toothpastes. Children’s toothpastes are often a gel formula, as it is less abrasive on the sensitive enamel of baby teeth.

And last but not least, the main difference between adults and kids toothpaste, is the range of flavours! Adult toothpastes are almost all mint flavoured – however children’s toothpaste comes in many flavours, like strawberry, bubble gum, vanilla, banana and tutti fruity.

When choosing a toothpaste for your child, always read the directions on the packaging and select the toothpaste which corresponds to your child’s age. If in doubt, give us a call and we will happily answer any questions!