If your child has cavities, finding the best toothpaste for kids with cavities can seem like a daunting task. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know which one will be the most effective at fighting cavities.
To make matters even more confusing, many toothpastes marketed as “cavity fighter” are actually no better than regular toothpaste. In fact, some of them might even be worse!
What to look for when buying toothpaste for kids
In reality, there is no single best toothpaste for cavities. The most important factor is finding a toothpaste that your child will actually use. If your child hates the taste or texture of a particular toothpaste, they won’t be likely to use it regularly, and that will do little to fight their cavities. The important ingredient to consider is fluoride, which is the main ingredient for fighting cavities. Fluoride helps to harden teeth and make them more resistant to cavity-causing bacteria.
- Flavor
Look for toothpaste that tastes good on kids. Some toothpastes are just too strong for children. Using fun ingredients like strawberries and watermelon will help your child to enjoy the process of brushing their teeth. - Ingredients
If your child does not yet know how to spit out toothpaste, you may want to hold off on toothpaste that contains fluoride. Excessive ingestion of fluoride can discolor and pit children’s permanent teeth (dental fluorosis).
So what is the best toothpaste for kids with cavities?
If your child already has cavities, get them treated by a dentist since no toothpaste can “undo” the cavity. In addition to using a fluoride toothpaste, your child may also need to use a fluoride supplement or mouth rinse.
When choosing a toothpaste for kids with cavities, it's important to look for a few key features:
- Age Appropriateness: Select a toothpaste formulated for your child's age group, as these will have the correct fluoride levels and be safe if accidentally swallowed.
- Fluoride Content: Fluoride is crucial in preventing cavities and strengthening enamel. Ensure the toothpaste contains an appropriate amount of fluoride for your child's age. Consider the types of fluoride available.
- ADA Seal of Approval: Look for toothpastes that have the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance, which ensures the product has been tested for safety and efficacy.
- Flavor: To encourage regular brushing, choose a flavor your child likes. Many children's toothpastes come in fruity or mild mint flavors that are more appealing to kids.
Different kinds of toothpaste can fight tooth decay, gum disease, tooth erosion, and even hypersensitivity. Talk to your dentist to see which issue needs to be targeted so that you can choose the right toothpaste for your kids.
Best Toothpaste For Kids With Cavities and best toothpaste for kids of all ages
When it comes to toothpaste for kids with cavities, the options are limited. Most toothpastes are designed for general use, and aren’t specifically tailored for children with cavities. However, there are a few toothpastes that are designed to help fight cavities in kids.
Preventative care is important to for kids prone to cavities
The important thing to do is to ensure your kids have good hygiene. It is important to make sure that they are brushing their teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. If they are eating a sticky snack or candy, be sure to do a quick brush right after so that the sugars don’t stay on the teeth too long. Also, many parents don’t realize this, but crackers like Goldfish are terrible for kids teeth. The crackers get stuck in their teeth and it’s difficult to get out. So, after a cracker snack, do a rinse or brush as well.
It’s important to schedule regular checkups with your child’s dentist every 6 months starting at around 12 months of age. Of course, your infant won’t have many teeth (if at all) at a year old, but it will be good practice for them to be there, and you can make it fun so that they don’t get intimidated as they get older. As your child gets older, your dentist can give them a professional cleaning and check for decay. Your dentist may also recommend an additional fluoride treatment .
This will help to keep their teeth healthy and cavity-free.
What are the benefits of brushing your teeth with toothpaste?
Brushing helps to remove food particles and plaque from your teeth and gums. If you choose a paste with fluoride, it further protects the protective enamel that protects our teeth from decay.
Why choose fluoride for your kids toothpaste
When you brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, your enamel is strengthened. Teeth naturally undergo a process that removes the tartar and helps them to become whiter. On the one hand, bacteria in your mouth can cause you to lose your teeth. Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps keep our teeth healthy. Other minerals in the saliva of healthy people help teeth stay white and strong. By removing plaque and using toothpaste that contains fluoride, you can fight off the most common causes of tooth decay (plaque and germs) while also helping to strengthen your child’s teeth. When your child reaches the stage where they feel full, they should be brushing their teeth for at least two minutes. If your child brushes their teeth for more than 2 min., consider getting a timer to help them keep up with the brushing process.
There are a whole lot more things you can do to help children avoid cavities. Flossing your child’s teeth will help them get rid of plaque that builds up on the gums and between their teeth, where it is hard for a toothbrush to get into.
Also, remember that brushing your kids teeth only requires a very small amount of toothpaste. It’s recommended that children use toothpaste the size of a rice grain – a pea-sized amount for older kids.
