What’s The Best Toothpaste For My Child?

Tooth brushing is one of the most important tasks for good oral health. It is recommended to use toothpaste as soon as the first tooth erupts. Dr. Espinosa highly recommends using a toothpaste with fluoride. Fluoride is an important and natural mineral that is amazing for prevention when used topically to strengthen enamel. Fluoride creates a stronger ionic bond within your enamel that is more difficult for oral acids to break down and cause decay. Use a smear of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) to brush the teeth of a child less than 3 years of age or those that have difficulty spitting. For children 3 to 6 years old, use a “pea-size” amount of toothpaste. Perform or assist your child’s tooth brushing until the age of 8 or until Dr. Espinosa can assess the ability of your child to effectively brush their teeth on their own. Many times until a child can easily write full sentences their manual dexterity is not developed to address the different motions and angles of proper tooth brushing.