Starting your child off right when it comes to daily oral hygiene can mean the difference between a lifetime of good habits and a never-ending string of dental problems. One of the most important choices you can make when it comes to your child’s oral health is finding the right toothpaste. Not only does it need to be effective and appropriate for the age of your child; it also has to have a flavor that your little one will like.
Most kids are cavity-prone. And one of the best ways to fight tooth decay is exposure to a naturally occurring mineral called fluoride. Not only does fluoride help to decrease the number of cavities for your child; it also helps to strengthen the enamel of baby teeth. In fact, fluoride is so effective that many cities and towns have added it to their municipal water supplies. The amount of fluoride your child is exposed to can make a marked difference in his or her oral health. For this reason, many dentists recommend a fluoride toothpaste for children. This is particularly important if your water supply does not contain fluoride.
The toothpaste you choose for your child should be approved by the American Dental Association, so look for the ADA Seal of Acceptance on the package label. And, of course, the paste should come in a flavor your child enjoys – or can at least tolerate. Fortunately, kids’ toothpastes usually come in a variety of flavors, one of which is likely to appeal to the tastes of your little one.
Whatever toothpaste you choose for your child, make sure that you use the age-appropriate amount. For toddlers, that’s not very much. In fact, the ADA recommends only a “smear” of fluoride toothpaste for kids under 3, which is about the size of a grain of rice. Older kids (above the age of 3) should be using a pea-sized amount. And, just like adults, children should have their teeth brushed at least twice a day.
Parents should also be aware that the ADA recommends taking children in for their first visit to the dentist at or around the age of 1, or whenever their first baby tooth erupts. This may sound early, but the sooner your child becomes accustomed to dental visits, the easier it will be to take them as they grow older. Another advantage to early dental visits is that your little one can be educated about good oral hygiene habits by your dentist, who will also be more likely to catch dental problems or bad oral habits (like thumb-sucking, for example) early enough to resolve them quickly if you bring your kids in at an early age.
