Do Kids Need Fluoride Toothpaste?
It’s one of the most common questions parents ask early on - do kids NEED fluoride toothpaste? After all, you know that swallowing fluoride can be dangerous. It’s why a lot of toothpaste labels have a Poison Control Hotline number printed on them. You might just decide it’s not worth the risk. But is this costing your child in the long run?
The short answer is no - as long as you are choosing a clinically proven fluoride toothpaste alternative, you can still help your little one maintain good oral health. That’s a big caveat, though. Most replacements for fluoride fall short.
Learn more about fluoride-free toothpastes for children below, including what separates LIVFRESH’s Kids+ Toothpaste from all the other options on the market.
Key Takeaways
- Fluoride is one of the most studied ingredients in oral health. It strengthens enamel.
- The problem is that kids can swallow their toothpaste without realizing it, and swallowing fluoride may be harmful.
- Most fluoride-free toothpastes are safe at the cost of being effective.
- LIVFRESH Kids+ uses a patented ingredient (Activated Edathamil) capable of removing plaque up to 250% better than a leading ADA alternative.
- You may consider fluoride toothpaste for your child if you trust them to spit every time.
Why Are Some Parents Hesitant About Fluoride?
Fluoride isn’t dangerous in toothpaste. Or even in the amounts it’s added to our water systems, for that matter. One of our best-selling toothpaste formulas uses fluoride. We’re not here to vilify one of the most clinically proven ingredients in all of oral care.
We can, however, understand the hesitation many parents have regarding fluoride toothpaste for their younger kids. The main concern is swallowing it.
Now, swallowing fluoride toothpaste here and there isn’t going to prove detrimental. But doing so every day for months on end can lead to problems. Specifically, fluorosis. This is a condition characterized by visible white spots or streaks on adult teeth.
It’s a risk that has been acknowledged by both the American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) specifically. As a result, many professionals recommend using just a smear the size of a grain of rice for children under the age of three, and a pea-sized smear for kids aged 3-6.
Even with those guidelines, though, a lot of parents wonder - do kids NEED fluoride toothpaste? Or can you just take all the stress out of your little one’s oral routine until they’re a little older?
Do Kids Need Fluoride Toothpaste?
Need is a strong word. But let’s start with why fluoride is recommended so prevalently. This ingredient does two things really well:
- It strengthens enamel to make it more resistant to acid attacks
- It helps remineralize early decay before it becomes a cavity
That matters if your kiddo is more susceptible to cavities. However, there are other ingredients in toothpaste that can help as well. Ultimately, the root cause of most of the evil in oral health is plaque - the sticky biofilm that builds up on teeth within hours of brushing. It’s that fuzzy feeling on your teeth in the morning.
Left unchecked, plaque turns into tartar. Only a dentist can remove it. Eventually, tartar can lead to decay, gum issues, and a cascade of other oral health complications. So is there a better alternative to fluoride as far as plaque removal is concerned? Yes!
Activated Edathamil is backed by 40 patents and 40 clinical studies showing it can remove plaque up to 250% better than a leading ADA alternative. It’s why the LIVFRESH Kids+ Dental Gel is quickly becoming the most recommended formula on the market. It’s the only toothpaste that has Activated Edathamil. It’s also free of SLS, artificial flavors, and other sketchy ingredients you don’t want your little one swallowing. They’re going to love the pink bubblegum flavor, too, so getting them to brush their teeth twice a day won’t be a battle.
How Much Toothpaste Should Your Child Use?
The AAPD recommends a rice-grain-sized smear for children under 3 and a pea-sized amount for children 3 to 6. However, those recommendations are specifically in place to limit fluoride ingestion. Do the guidelines change for kids brushing with a fluoride-free toothpaste? Just slightly. We recommend a pea-sized amount. Still, less is more with LIVFRESH.
It’s probably best that you actually dispense the toothpaste onto your child’s toothbrush early on. They might be able to take matters into their own hands when they’re older, but at least until they’re 6-8 years old, you should “drive,” so to speak.
Kids are constantly paying attention to things around them. And if you leave them to brush their own teeth, they’ll probably throw a massive glob of toothpaste on their brush because that’s what they see in commercials on TV. A little goes a long way!
Is it Dangerous For Kids to Swallow Toothpaste?
We made it a point to make sure our Kids+ formula was safe to swallow. You have nothing to worry about when you let your kids brush with LIVFRESH! What about kids who brush with fluoride toothpaste, though?
You probably don’t need to call the poison control hotline if your kid comes to you crying because they accidentally swallowed toothpaste. It’s one of those things where consistency is the concern. You want to remind them to spit every day.
Now, a child who swallowed a lot of toothpaste is a different story. It’s why we say our Gum Protect+ fluoride toothpaste should be kept out of reach of kids under the age of 12.
When Do Your Kids Need Fluoride Toothpaste?
Do kids need fluoride toothpaste, ever? Eventually, they get to an age where you can trust them not to swallow their toothpaste (or eat a tube, for that matter).
But if your kiddo is over the age of 12 and is still having really good checkups at the dentist, there may be no need to make any changes. The old saying holds true here: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Improve Your Child’s Oral Hygiene Today!
Whether you’re looking for the best fluoride-free toothpaste or the best toothpaste for cavities with fluoride included, LIVFRESH has a formula for your whole family. Find the best toothpaste today.
