Brushing your toddler’s teeth can be a chore. They have iron-like jaws, clamping down on the brush, stopping you from scrubbing their grimy teeth after a day of eating cheese sticks and peanut butter sandwiches.
When your toddler graciously allows you to brush their teeth, you want to make sure you have the best toddler toothpaste. The flavors help to convince them that they actually do want to brush their teeth.
| Best Fluoride Toothpaste |
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| Orajel My Little Pony Fluoride Toothpaste |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Pick for Natural Toothpaste |
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| Tom’s of Maine Toddlers Natural Toothpaste |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Organic Toothpaste |
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| Jack N’ Jill Natural Organic Toothpaste |
| Check Amazon |
When Should Children Start Using Toothpaste?
Brushing your child’s teeth is an important task, and you’ll probably have several questions and pondering. You might wonder how in the world you’ll make your child spit out the toothpaste, or if they’ll think swallowing it is a game. Yuck!
Swallowing toothpaste brings up more questions. Is that safe? Will he get sick? Most toothpaste boxes have some sort of warning not to swallow the toothpaste. That means your child is going to get some dangerous disease, so you head off to Google and end up down a rabbit hole of worry.
Don’t stress! You don’t want to scare yourself into not brushing your child’s teeth often or too late. Baby teeth can and do decay, so that is the last thing you want. In fact, you should start encouraging your child to use a toothbrush as soon as they have teeth or whenever you want! Recommendations tell us now to start using a toothpaste as soon as your child cuts their first teeth!
How to Pick the Best Toddler Toothpaste
Everyone has different requirements about what they want in a toddler toothpaste. There is a huge debate in the mommy world about whether or not fluoride is good for your child, for example.
It Should Have Fluoride
You might not believe that fluoride is good for your child, but the experts disagree. Fluoride fights tooth decay, but you want to make sure that you don’t use too much toothpaste until your child learns how to spit it out. Other parents do opt to use a non-fluoride toothpaste until their child can learn how to spit it out because too much fluoride leads to white spots on teeth.
Clearly Has Listed Ingredients
The ingredients in your toddler’s toothpaste matter, and you’ll never know the ingredients unless they are clearly and legibly stated on the package. If a company refuses to disclose all of the ingredients, that’s a huge red flag. Ultimately, because each parent has different desires and opinions about what ingredients are safe, clearly listed ingredients is a must. If you can’t find the ingredients on the product, check the website!
It Needs an Appealing Flavor
Adults may prefer a minty or cinnamon flavored toothpaste, but your child will act as if you gave them a shot of hot sauce. That will turn your child away from brushing their teeth. Instead, you want a kid-friendly flavor that he will enjoy, such as bubble gum or strawberry. An appealing flavor causes less resistance and less fighting. Plus, a better flavor means you can spend longer than three seconds brushing their teeth.
Ingredients Matter
So, you may be ok with fluoride because of the recommendations by experts. However, you may not feel safe using artificial coloring agents, preservatives, and artificial flavorings. For the most part, experts believe these ingredients are safe for kids, but some people just feel comfortable saying no altogether.
The Correct Amount of Toothpaste
You don’t want to come out swinging and put the same amount of toothpaste on your child’s toothbrush as you use. At first, you want to just use a small amount of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. The amount should stay the same for the first few years.
Around age 3 years old, you want to increase to a pea-sized amount. It can be hard for a child this age to control putting the amount on their toothbrush, so it’s best if you do it for your child. If you let your child apply their own toothpaste, they’ll squirt a large glob on top, most of it ending up quickly in the bathroom sink.
As your child practices squirting the toothpaste for themselves, you should monitor and make sure it is appropriate. It takes time for them to understand how hard they should squeeze the tube. Even if your child already knows how much toothpaste to use, it is best to watch to ensure they spit it all out.
After your child spits out the toothpaste, give your child a sip of water so that he can swish it around and spit out the water. Don’t give your child a glass of water until they spit out the first bit of toothpaste because it makes it easier for them to swallow it!
Top Picks for The Best Toddler Toothpaste
1. Orajel My Little Pony Fluoride Toothpaste
One of the top picks by parents is from Orajel, and it contains fluoride that will protect your child’s teeth from cavities. It’s a great pick if you find that you worry about your kids damaging their teeth or having cavities.
As you can tell by the theme, it’s based on My Little Pony, which has been around for decades. Even though it might be considered “girly,” most boys are happy to use this toddler toothpaste. Who doesn’t love ponies? Picking a fun theme encourages your child to want to use the toothpaste!
Kids enjoy the blue color of the toothpaste and its fruity flavor. All kids enjoy the sweetness rather than the mint of adults toothpaste.
| The Pros |
|---|
| Affordable |
| Contains Fluoride |
| Fruity Flavor |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Hard to Control Amount |
| Can’t Swallow The Toothpaste |
2. Tom’s of Maine Toddlers Natural Toothpaste
If you are concerned about your child swallow fluoride, a natural toothpaste may be the best choice until your child is old enough to spit it out. Tom’s of Maine doesn’t contain fluoride, SLS, gluten, artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. It’s the perfect choice for parents who want to cut out anything unnatural.
The best thing about the Tom’s of Maine Toddlers Toothpaste is that you don’t have to worry about any ill effects of swallowing the toothpaste. Your child will be perfectly safe even if they do swallow this toothpaste, but it’s best to teach them early!
If you have a child that is learning how to get the hang of brushing and spitting, introducing this fluoride- free toothpaste is a good option. They also added an easy-to-use dispensing top that helps contain messes; kids make tons of messes when they start to learn how to squeeze the tube!
Plus, it has a fruit flavor that kids enjoy. Tom’s didn’t add any strong or spicy flavor that your child might dislike. The hint of strawberry is sweetened with natural flavor, so it’s not candy-like, which would make your child want to swallow too much of it.
One thing to note is that the ingredients are all 100% natural, but it lists hydrated silica as an ingredient. Hydrated silica is a mild abrasive, and Tom’s of Maine assures parents it is safe for their child. However, you might feel more comfortable researching and speaking to your pediatrician beforehand.
| The Pros |
|---|
| No Fluoride |
| Not Harmful if Swallowed |
| Contains No Gluten |
| Appealing Fruit Flavor |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Pricey |
| No Fluoride, Which Some May Want |
3. Jack N’ Jill Natural Organic Toothpaste
Some parents like to use organic products for their children, and there aren’t too many organic toddler toothpaste choices available. It can be hard to find, especially if you look at your local store. Jack N’ Jill uses several organic ingredients, which means that you don’t need to worry about herbicides and pesticides reaching your baby.
Because it contains all natural ingredients, it is safe for your child to swallow as he is learning how to spit it out. There are no preservatives, artificial colors, or fluoride. The toothpaste is clear! A convenient flip top container makes it easy for kids to control how much toothpaste comes out.
Jack N’ Jill even added organic calendula which is known for its soothing properties. If your child has a mouth injury, the calendula will soothe them.
| The Pros |
|---|
| No Fluoride |
| Safe to Swallow |
| No Added Colors |
| Calendula Soothes Injuries |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Expensive |
| Can’t Find in Stores |
4. Tom’s of Maine Toddlers Fluoride-Free Natural Toothpaste
Our fourth choice is also from Tom’s of Maine, a leader in sustainable natural products for a healthy lifestyle. They know that moms want to create good oral hygiene habits for their children, and that starts at an early age. You can use Tom’s of Maine Toddlers Toothpaste from ages 3 to 24 months. It allows you the opportunity to gently clean teeth and gums without exposing your child to artificial sweeteners or preservatives.
You can start with the Toddlers Fluoride-Free Natural Toothpaste, which is free of fluoride, sols, and gluten. Parents don’t have to worry if their toddler swallows the toothpaste, which will undoubtedly happen. The nozzle contains the mess, so you have less to clean up! You can find this toddler toothpaste in most stores in the United States.
| The Pros |
|---|
| Fluoride Free |
| Fruity Flavor |
| No Artificial Dyes |
| Designed for Babies and Toddlers |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Not Meant for Older Kids |
5. Hello Oral Care Fluoride Toothpaste Blue Raspberry
Hello Oral Care is a compromise for parents who want natural ingredients but also want a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Hello picked ingredients that brighten teeth, prevent cavities and strengthen enamel. Kids can pick between blue raspberry, bubblegum, mojito mint, or watermelon. Your toddler will love all of these flavors!
One nice thing is that this toothpaste is made in America. Also, it’s one of the few vegan choices. This product was never tested on animals! Hello doesn’t use any artificial sweeteners, gluten, synthetic dyes, or parabens. You can feel good using this toothpaste with your toddler.
| The Pros |
|---|
| Vegan |
| No Artificial Dyes or Preservatives |
| Several Flavor Picks |
| Contains Fluoride |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Hard to Open Top |
| Can’t Swallow |
6. GUM Crayola Squeeze-A-Color Toothpaste
Does your child resist anything that has to do with brushing their teeth? If so, GUM Crayola is the solution with its yummy flavors and exciting colors. Colors, fun flavors, and shapes are good encouragements for your reluctant brusher.
GUM and Crayola created a toothpaste that looks like a box of crayons. Inside, your child will find three small crayon-shaped tubes – red (melon blast flavor), green (jazzy apple), and blue (blueberry burst). Kids can pick one flavor or mix them together!
One thing parents like about the GUM Crayola is that the tubes have very small openings at the tip of the tube. It’s just a little thicker than a pencil lead. That means even if your child does decide to mix colors, there won’t be an enormous mess for your to handle. The tiny holes are perfect for your child who wants to do things by themselves.
The negatives come from the ingredients. Obviously, to achieve such colors, there are artificial colors and flavorings used. Also, the toothpaste contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which many believe could be harmful. Parents may not want their child to use the GUM Crayola because of its unnatural, chemical ingredients. However, when you have a reluctant brusher and want the fights to end, give this one a try.
| The Pros |
|---|
| Fun Appearance |
| Appealing Flavors |
| Tiny Holes in Tube |
| Perfect for Reluctant Brushers |
| The Cons |
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| Contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate |
| Uses Artificial Flavors and Colors |
7. Aquafresh Kids Pump Cavity Protection Toothpaste
Sometimes, despite all of our hard work, our toddler still has cavities. Don’t despair mom; it can happen to any child! If your child has issues with their teeth already, you want something heavy duty with a delicious flavor, and the Aquafresh Kids Pump is strong enough for the job. Aquafresh added teeth-strengthening fluoride that will help keep your child’s teeth healthier and reduce cavities. It has the same amount of fluoride as adult toothpaste, so you can use it as well.
Your kid won’t care that the toothpaste gives him extra protection against cavities. He will care about the taste. Aquafresh uses a fresh bubble mint flavor. It’s like bubblegum with just a bit of mint! The flavor is a great choice for kids who want to be “grown-up” like Mommy and Daddy, but they still are too young for adult toothpaste.
One interesting difference is that this tube stands up, so you can keep it right on the counter. That means you don’t have as much cleaning to do. Your child won’t find it difficult to use! Kids love squeezing the pump, and no one has to worry that leaving the cap off will result in an explosion over the counters.
Aquafresh signature white, red, and blue tri-color pattern is appealing for kids. However, that means that they do use artificial dyes, and some prefer to avoid all dyes. Also, the gel-to-foam texture is caused by sodium lauryl sulfate, which some find concerning.
| The Pros |
|---|
| Affordable |
| Tube Stands on Counter |
| Appealing Taste |
| Contains Fluoride |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Mint Might Not Be Liked |
| Takes Force to Operate |
8. Kiss My Face Kids Fluoride Free Toothpaste
Parents who want to avoid fluoride only have a few choices, and Kiss My Face is a great pick. Kiss My Face is a trusted name, creating many natural family care products. The ingredients are gentle, non-toxic, and safe to swallow.
Kiss My Face uses natural flavors, and xylitol is a natural sweetener and alternative cleaning agent. It is great for your health! However, it is important to note that, like many natural non-fluoride options, Kiss My Face does cost more. It’s not as pricey as some of the other picks, and your local health store might sell it because it’s a common, natural line.
| The Pros |
|---|
| Natural Flavors and Sweetener |
| No Fluoride |
| Appealing Berry Flavor |
| The Cons |
|---|
| No Fluoride |
| Expensive |
9. Now XyliWhite Bubblegum Splash Toothpaste Gel
Toddlers and children can suffer from sensitive teeth as often as adults. Having sensitive teeth can cause children to dislike brushing their teeth even more than they already do. If that is your child, the Now XyliWhite will be helpful.
Now contains no gluten, and they used only natural sweeteners. Also, you’ll find no fluoride or sodium lauryl sulfate in the ingredients. That means this toothpaste is great for parents who are avoiding chemicals and artificial sweeteners. Kids will enjoy the delicious bubblegum flavor!
| The Pros |
|---|
| Affordable |
| Contains No Chemicals or Artificial Sweeteners |
| No Fluoride |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Hard to Use Dispenser |
| Tends to Be Messy |
How to Convince Your Toddler to Enjoy Brushing Their Teeth
Toddlers are tricky, and getting them to like brushing their teeth can be tricky. Forcing them or holding them down only makes it worse. So, it’s best to try some different tactics
- Brush their doll’s teeth
- Play dentist together
- Let your toddler brush your teeth!
- Make a fun song about brushing teeth!
- Start off small and gradually increase the time.
- Let your toddler use the toothbrush
Our Pick for the Best Toddler Toothpaste
Picking the best toddler toothpaste doesn’t seem like a huge deal, but it’s a decision that requires a bit of thought. Our top pick is the Tom’s of Maine Toddler’s Natural Toothpaste. It is natural, fluoride free and available in most stores. Most toddlers struggle with understanding how to spit it out appropriately, so Tom’s provides the protection your child’s teeth need against cavities while being totally safe for him.
What is your favorite toddler toothpaste? Let us know in the comments!
