3 Requirements for a Safe Kids Toothpaste
So your little one has finally got those pearly whites you have been long waiting for? Congratulations! Teething is one of the most bitter-sweet moments for kids. There will be a lot of drooling, biting, and crankiness too. But everything beats when your munchkin flaunts the cute teeth with a smile. This is also the time when you should add another baby product to your shopping list – a kids toothpaste.
Nowadays, the market is filled with hundreds of kids toothpastes, each with a variety of benefits. Not to forget the flavor and exciting packaging. While all these can certainly attract buyers, there is one thing you should never compromise on – the safety of kids toothpaste.
Whether you are buying a baby cream or getting a baby soap, safety has to be your priority. This becomes even more important for toothpaste since your kid is young and toothpastes come directly in contact with the mouth. But as we said, the options are plenty and it can become overwhelming to determine which one is super safe.
To save you from confusion, we have created this small list of requirements that make a kids toothpaste pass the safety test. Read carefully and become a smart parent:
P.S.: We have also added our favorite brand (Hint: Mamaearth) to quicken your research!
Three Things That Make Kids Toothpaste Safest!
- Ingredients’ List: What’s Good and Bad?
Do you know what’s unique about all the toothpastes that are there in the market? Or what cleans your kids’ teeth and ensures they don’t become a breeding ground for bacteria? Or what makes Mamaearth a natural toothpaste? The answer is only one word – ingredients.
Every kids toothpaste has a unique formulation of ingredients that help it in ensuring the best oral hygiene. That being said, not all ingredients are safe for your kid. So, when you are buying a kids toothpaste, make sure that you carefully read the label to see what’s inside the pack and what’s not. Here, we have created a quick list of good and bad ingredients you can check. Make notes!
Good Ingredients
- Aloe Barbadensis
- Coconut Oil
- Xylitol
- Fruit extracts
- Stevia
- Glycerin
- Sorbitol
Bad Ingredients
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS)
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
- Paraben
- Silica
- Magnesium Carbonate
- Artificial colors
Or to be on the safer side, you can pick a natural kids toothpaste that only contains plant-based ingredients and is toxin-free!
- Safety Proven With Certifications
Whether you are buying a baby cream or a toothpaste, you must check the safety certifications. These certifications are offered by trusted national and international organizations whose main aim is to test a product’s safety before it gets launched in the market.
Some of the safety certificates you should look out for when choosing a safe kids’ toothpaste are:
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- MadeSafe Certification
- Pediatrician Recommended
Mamaearth, for instance, offers 100% Natural Berry Blast Toothpaste for Kids that has MadeSafe certification, making it Asia’s first MadeSafe certified toothpaste. It is also recommended by pediatricians and since it contains only natural ingredients, its safety level is quite high.
- Swallow-Proof
From toys to clothes, kids often put any object they found inside their mouths to eat it. The same is going to happen with toothpaste. No matter how many times you teach them to spit it out, they will definitely end up swallowing the toothpaste. It can be because of the flavor (kids toothpaste comes in fruit flavors!) or because they just don’t know what to do with the paste.
That’s why you should always get a toothpaste that is safe enough to swallow. The best way to ensure this is to buy a product made of natural ingredients. Since they are sourced from plants, these ingredients won’t lead to any side effects or hamper your little one’s health.
Mamaearth’s Natural Berry Blast Toothpaste for Kids is something you can try. It’s 100% natural and free from fluoride, SLS, and other harmful toxins. So, if your kid loves the berry flavor a lot and ends up swallowing this toothpaste, you don’t have to rush him/her to a doctor. Your munchkin will be fine.
FAQs
Just knowing a few factors may not be enough. Your parent-intuition would churn out various questions about the best toothpaste. We understand that and that’s why, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to clear the doubts cloud:
When to use a kids toothpaste for your kid?
Typically, you should start cleaning your baby’s gums even before the teeth come out. But do that with a washcloth or a gentle brush without a toothpaste. When your child turns 2, you can start using a rice-grain-sized amount of toothpaste to clean their new teeth. Always use fluoride-free toothpaste for kids under 4 years of age since they are more likely to swallow the toothpaste. And swallowing fluoride can cause troubles and side effects.
What is fluoride? Is it good or bad?
Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral. It is one of the most popular toothpaste ingredients whose job is to strengthen the tooth enamel and fight off tooth decay and cavity.
That being said, fluoride concentration in a toothpaste can also cause side effects. Too much fluoride can lead to bone problems and discoloration of teeth. If a kid swallows fluoride in excess amounts, it can lead to fluorosis. That’s why it is preferred to use fluoride-free toothpaste for toddlers.
When to switch from fluoride-free toothpaste to a fluoride kids toothpaste?
Many kids toothpastes that are meant for kids above 4 years of age contain fluoride. Mamaearth has both fluoride-free and fluoride toothpaste. If your kid is younger than 4 years, pick the 100% Natural Berry Blast Toothpaste. As they grow older, you can buy Mamaearth’s Awesome Orange Toothpaste For Kids that has only 750ppm of Sodium Fluoride (best and safe for kids).
The Takeaway
Your baby’s oral health is important and it’s better to start caring for it as soon as the first tooth makes its appearance. As the kid grows up, you can again evaluate the oral hygiene needs and switch the toothpaste. And now that we have told you the right requirements and a few kids toothpaste options too, we are sure your kids’ teeth will remain pearly and white as ever!
