When Can Kids Use Regular Toothpaste?
They grow up so fast. Before you know it, you’re having conversations about personal hygiene. But oral care starts way before they can even understand what a cavity or gum disease is. Parents must brush their kids’ teeth for them as soon as the first one pops through the gums.
When can kids use regular toothpaste, though? That depends on what you mean by “regular” toothpaste. For example, LIVFRESH Kids+ Toothpaste is safe to use for all ages. You can give your child a head start on oral hygiene this way. As far as fluoride toothpaste goes, though, that’s another conversation. We’ll help set your expectations below.
Key Takeaways
- Adult toothpastes have SLS, harsh abrasives, and intense flavoring that your child may not be ready for.
- Most kids can transition to regular toothpaste between ages 6 and 8 when they can consistently spit after brushing.
- A kids’ formula like the one at LIVFRESH can help protect their oral health at all ages. It’s safe to swallow. Yet, it removes plaque 250% better than a leading ADA alternative.
The Importance of Pediatric Oral Hygiene
Just because baby teeth fall out doesn’t mean they’re not something you need to take care of. Decay in primary teeth can damage the permanent tooth that eventually pops through. It can also cause infections and lead to early extractions, which throws off spacing for adult teeth. That’s not to mention the toll that poor oral hygiene takes on gum health.
Dentists say that children who lose their baby teeth to decay (before they fall out naturally) are more likely to need orthodontic work later on in life.
Plus, building good habits during these early years will carry forward. A child who is used to brushing twice a day from as young as they can remember will be more likely to continue proper oral hygiene once you’re no longer doing it on their behalf.
When Can Kids Use Regular Toothpaste?
You probably know that the same toothpaste you use is not a good fit for your child’s oral care regimen. But when can kids use regular toothpaste? Probably sometime between the ages of 6 and 8. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, though, as with most things related to your little one’s development.
What matters most is that your child can be trusted to spit the toothpaste into the sink and rinse well. Swallowing certain toothpastes can be harmful - notably, those with fluoride. This can lead to fluorosis (white streaks on adult teeth). It’s why many parents choose to go with a fluoride-free toothpaste alternative early on.
But even if your child is intuitive enough to know to spit, they may not tolerate adult toothpaste. The vast majority of formulas at the drugstore have SLS (a harsh foaming agent), abrasives, and strong, minty flavors that can be considered off-putting. The goal in younger years is to get your child to enjoy brushing - or at the very least, tolerate it!
So, when can kids use regular toothpaste? The best advice we were given as parents by our own dentist was to wait until the age when your child can tie their own shoes. Once they’ve developed that level of coordination, they can likely be trusted to brush all surfaces well and spit when it’s time.
Until then, there’s no need to rush them. LIVFRESH Kids+ Toothpaste provides more than enough cleaning power to protect your little one’s oral health!
What to Look For in Your Child’s First Toothpaste
Whether your child’s first tooth just popped through or you’ve been cycling through drugstore formulas struggling to find something they tolerate, these are the things we tell parents to look for in a child-friendly toothpaste.
Fluoride vs Fluoride-Free
It’s best to avoid fluoride early on in life for the reasons discussed above. It’s not that fluoride is dangerous - in fact, it’s among the most clinically studied ingredients in oral health. The best toothpaste for cavities and the best toothpaste for bleeding gums have fluoride.
However, you can still provide effective cleaning with other safe ingredients - including Activated Edathamil. It’s a patented ingredient proven to remove plaque up to 250% better than a leading ADA formula, while being entirely safe for all mouths.
Non-Toxic, Clean Label
This is just as important as cleaning power - safety. There is a laundry list of ingredients you probably don’t want your child swallowing, yet they show up in so many drugstore formulas. That includes:
- Parabens
- SLS
- Triclosan
- Artificial flavoring
- Artificial dyes
- Antimicrobials
What you want to see on the label is some verbiage related to “safe if swallowed.” You obviously want to encourage your child not to swallow so they can get used to good oral care habits. But kids are kids - and they are going to slip up from time to time!
Tolerable (or Even Enjoyable) Flavor and Texture
You may already know firsthand how difficult getting kids to brush their teeth can be. Getting them a toothpaste they tolerate, or perhaps even enjoy, makes a world of difference.
This is why LIVFRESH Kids+ Dental Gel uses a fun pink bubblegum flavor rather than anything harsh or minty. It’s also abrasive-free, so the texture won’t irritate their gums.
Less is More - How Much Toothpaste to Use
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a rice-grain-sized smear for kids under the age of 3, and a pea-sized amount for ages 3-6. They can use a standard pea-sized amount even after the age of 6, though. Less is often more with toothpaste.
Even when they’re ready to brush their own teeth, you might want to load up their toothbrush for them so you can show them exactly how much they should use. It’s also good to watch them brush so you can make sure they’re going the full two minutes, practicing good technique, and actually spitting in the sink.
Start Encouraging Better Oral Care Habits Today!
So when can kids use regular toothpaste? Technically, now - LIVFRESH Kids+ Dental Gel is the same formula as our traditional plaque removal toothpaste but made kid-safe. Your child gets clinically proven oral care that they not only tolerate, but look forward to!
Get the best toothpaste today.
Related Resources
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