How to choose children's toothpaste
Often, when choosing toothpaste for a child, parents pay attention to the bright packaging and taste of the product. However, this is not as important as safe composition and age appropriateness.
Artificial colors and flavors in the paste should be absent or in very small quantities - so it is better to leave Buble Gum, Coca-Cola and other products with a non-standard taste on the store shelf.
To give a pleasant taste, some manufacturers add sugar to the composition. However, such pastes are also not recommended, since they create a favorable environment for the development of bacteria.
Fluoride is not recommended in children's toothpaste because babies can swallow its residue. The accumulation of this element in the body is dangerous for the child’s health.
Antiseptics such as chlorhexidine kill not only harmful bacteria, but also the natural microflora of the oral cavity.
Pastes containing them are used only on the recommendation of a dentist. In children's pastes, they are usually replaced with zinc citrate or other analogues that simply remove the unpleasant odor.
Foaming sulfates and parabens are extremely dangerous, so they are excluded from most children's formulations, but are sometimes found in budget products.
Safe toothpaste ingredients include:
- xylitol,
- glycerol,
- xanthan copper,
- titanium dioxide.
Calcium in the paste is responsible for strengthening enamel, enzymes and mineral salts - for preventing the formation of hard plaque, antibacterial components, minerals and vitamins - for healing gums.
For daily care, you need to buy hygiene products that clean plaque and give freshness to your breath.
If there are problems, the dentist will recommend special therapeutic or preventive pastes. You should not buy such products without his advice.
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With or without fluoride?
As a rule, toothpastes with fluoride (for example, Splat and Lacalut) are recommended for children living in areas with low levels of this element in drinking water. But even in this case, doctors are divided on the need to use children's toothpastes with fluoride. The fact is that this element is quite toxic and can be hazardous to health. Young children simply swallow part of the toothpaste, and fluoride, instead of helping to strengthen teeth, enters the esophagus, thereby increasing the risk of developing fluorosis, hypothyroidism and some other serious diseases. Therefore, in toothpaste for children, fluoride compounds should not exceed the norm, and it is better that they are completely absent. In any case, consult your doctor before purchasing fluoride toothpaste. Read more about fluoride-containing pastes in the article.
Junior BioRepair children's toothpaste
The best baby toothpastes for first teeth
For children, manufacturers offer toothpastes with the most natural composition and pleasant taste. They do not need to get rid of plaque - these products are designed to instill in the child the habit of brushing their teeth and enjoying the process.
Splat Baby “Apple-Banana” – natural children’s toothpaste
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
97%
buyers recommend this product
Splat Baby is a children's toothpaste based on natural ingredients. It is approved for use when the baby’s first teeth appear.
The formula is completely safe to swallow and reduces gum sensitivity during teething.
The tube comes with a soft silicone brush that does not damage the delicate mucous membranes. It fits onto your finger and makes brushing your teeth a fun and hygienic experience.
The base of the paste is close to the composition of tooth enamel, therefore it removes soft plaque without damage. Licorice extract reduces plaque levels and prevents the formation of tartar. The composition has been tested by dentists, who have proven its effectiveness and healing effect on the entire oral cavity.
Most kids (although not all) like the taste and aroma of the product. Its consumption is small - a pea of the product is enough to clean the first teeth. The hinged lid makes it easy to open the paste even with wet fingers.
Pros:
- affordable price (130 rubles per tube);
- sold in most stores;
- natural composition;
- economical consumption;
- convenient packaging;
- soft brush included.
Minuses:
- Not all children like the taste, or even the procedure itself.
For those who do not like Apple-Banana, the manufacturer offers several more toothpaste options to choose from: Vanilla, Tutti-Frutti, Chocolate and Kiwi-Strawberry.
Kodomo "Orange" - inexpensive Japanese toothpaste
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
85%
buyers recommend this product
Kodomo toothpaste is recommended for babies from 6 months. Its formula is based on fluoride and xylitol, which strengthen the enamel and prevent the appearance of caries.
The composition is natural and suitable for cleaning the first teeth, and most children like the rich orange taste.
For the convenience of parents, the kit includes a small soft brush that gently massages the gums without injuring them. The bright tube attracts children's attention. After using this paste, the feeling of freshness remains in your mouth for a long time.
Pros:
- price 140 rubles;
- brush included;
- pleasant orange taste;
- safe composition;
- long-lasting feeling of freshness in the mouth.
Minuses:
- not available everywhere;
- inconvenient packaging.
The tube of paste does not fit well on the lid, so many parents note the inconvenience of storing it.
The best toothpastes for children from 1 to 3 years old
For children over one year old, the composition of the paste should also be natural and safe. In these products, components for strengthening the protection of enamel against caries are more welcome. The amount of abrasive substances should not exceed 20 units.
Babycoccole “Apple Flavored” – a popular toothpaste for baby teeth
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
98%
buyers recommend this product
Babycoccole is an Italian paste that does not contain sulfates, parabens, or allergens and is therefore absolutely safe to swallow.
The formula prevents the development of caries and effectively cleanses the oral cavity. The fluoride and calcium contained in the composition strengthen the incompletely formed enamel of baby teeth.
The taste of the paste is pleasant, not cloying. This helps teach your child about daily oral hygiene. Kids also like the packaging with a cute bear. In addition, the manufacturer offers 3 types of pasta to choose from: Strawberry, Banana and Apple. It is recommended to change the flavors from time to time to attract the child's attention to brushing his teeth.
The product is sold in soft tubes with a wide hinged lid. It opens and closes easily with just one movement of your fingers. A small hole in the spout allows you to accurately dispense the paste.
Pros:
- presented in most stores;
- economical and foams well;
- does not cause allergies;
- convenient tube;
- unobtrusive pleasant taste and aroma;
- safe composition.
Minuses:
- high price - from 250 rubles for 75 ml.
The paste contains flavors, dyes and fluorine-containing components in an amount of 500 ppm, so dentists and experienced parents recommend Babycoccole for older children - aged 2-3 years.
Chicco strawberry flavor – natural toothpaste
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
93%
buyers recommend this product
Chicco with strawberry flavor is a toothpaste with a safe formula for children over one year old. Fluorine-containing substances and abrasives that can damage unformed enamel are excluded from its composition. Xylitol prevents the appearance of caries, and bio-calcium strengthens teeth.
Chicco paste squeezes out well, lays evenly on the brush, and does not spread. It foams quickly in the mouth, so you only need a small amount of product to clean. The tube with a flip top cap is convenient to use.
Pros:
- safe composition without fluorine and preservatives;
- pleasant berry taste;
- low consumption;
- foams well;
- convenient packaging.
Minuses:
- difficult to find on sale;
- high cost (about 350 rubles per 50 ml).
Chicco toothpaste is safe, has a pleasant taste and aroma, however, many parents note that more affordable alternatives can be found for brushing teeth at this age.
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Preservatives
Preservatives are added to toothpastes in order to block the development of microflora in it during transportation, storage or use. Here it is worth checking the composition for the presence of sodium benzoate, which at increased doses is a strong carcinogen, prohibited for use in some countries. Propylene glycol (may appear as PEG or PEG), better known as a de-icing agent, is also very harmful to health. Avoid toothpastes with propylparaben, a harmful carcinogen (Aquafresh Kids, Colgate Doctor Hare, My Sun).
The best toothpastes for children aged 3 to 5 years
Children aged 3-5 years begin to change their baby teeth, so the requirements for the protective and strengthening qualities of pastes increase. Here you need to pay attention to the number of abrasive particles - 50 units is considered an acceptable indicator.
Lapikka “Milk pudding” – edible toothpaste
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
90%
buyers recommend this product
Lapikka gently cleans baby teeth and massages delicate gums. The formula excludes parabens, fluoride or sodium lauryl sulfate. Calcium and phosphorus - the main components of enamel - strengthen teeth and resist caries.
The unusual taste of milk pudding attracts most children, and they enjoy brushing their teeth. And parents note the pronounced cleaning properties of the paste.
The product is available in 45 g tubes with a flip-top cap. The small volume allows you to take the paste on the go and change flavors more often.
Pros:
- inexpensive (100 rubles per tube);
- small volume;
- cleans plaque well;
- edible formula without harmful components;
- strengthens teeth.
Minuses:
- doesn't foam well.
Lapikka “Milk Pudding” is an inexpensive and safe children’s toothpaste made in Russia. It effectively cleanses the mouth, but some children do not like the aftertaste. For this case, the manufacturer has a selection of other pastes for children over 3 years old.
New pearl "Orange" - universal children's paste
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
77%
buyers recommend this product
Inexpensive toothpaste for baby teeth has a universal formula, does not contain fluoride, is safe to swallow and prevents the formation of tartar. And calcium and phosphorus in its composition strengthen the enamel.
The juicy citrus flavor and bright orange dragon packaging make daily oral hygiene fun.
The product is sold in soft laminate tubes of 50 ml - it is convenient to squeeze out the paste from them to the last drop.
Usually this volume is enough for babies for a month with daily use. The wide lid makes it easy to store the packaging in a vertical position.
Pros:
- low price (50 rubles per tube);
- available in almost every store;
- bright and convenient packaging;
- rich taste;
- low consumption.
Minuses:
- unnatural composition.
for children from one to 6 years old. However, due to its slight abrasiveness, dentists recommend using it after reaching at least 3 years of age.
The best toothpastes for children aged 5 to 7 years
Children over 5 years of age are allowed to brush their teeth with compounds containing fluoride, but their amount should not exceed 500 ppm. The permitted concentration of abrasive particles is no more than 50 units.
ROCS Kids “Citrus Rainbow” - the best toothpaste for changing teeth
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
96%
buyers recommend this product
ROCS Kids was developed together with dentists for children from 4 to 7 years old. Its citrus taste is very similar to natural fruits and leaves a pleasant smell for a long time.
The soft tube makes it easy to squeeze out the right amount of product, and the flip-top lid opens and snaps easily.
The paste contains xylitol and the proprietary Amifluor complex with amino fluoride at a concentration of 500 ppm, which protect teeth from caries and other damage, and also prevent gum inflammation and normalize the microflora of the oral cavity.
Due to the low content of abrasive substances, the formula does not damage the enamel.
Pros:
- convenient packaging;
- pleasant citrus taste;
- does not cause allergies;
- prevents the appearance of caries and gum inflammation.
Minuses:
- the price is above average - from 200 rubles per 45 g;
- high consumption.
With daily brushing of teeth 2 times a day, ROCS Kids tubes last only 2 weeks.
Colgate Elmex "Junior" - strengthening and protection
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
84%
buyers recommend this product
Elmex Junior is a children's toothpaste for daily oral hygiene. The composition includes amino fluoride, which strengthens and protects the enamel of molars from caries.
The product has a pleasant unsweetened taste, there are no preservatives or dyes in the formula, and the effectiveness of the paste has been clinically proven by the results of several studies.
It is used economically. In addition, parents note that the product effectively copes with plaque - the teeth become noticeably lighter after brushing. Many dentists recommend this particular paste for children with molars that have already emerged.
Pros:
- pleasant taste;
- low consumption;
- prevents the appearance of caries;
- cleans teeth well.
Minuses:
- expensive (350 rubles for 75 ml);
- difficult to find on sale.
The composition of Elmex Junior is not intended for swallowing, so dentists and parents recommend using it for older children.
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Foaming agents
The main functions of foaming substances are to wet the tooth surface, create foam and influence the uniform consistency of the paste, which ultimately facilitates the process of brushing teeth. The most famous foaming agent that is added to various hygiene products is sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS, E 487). Unfortunately, the benefits from it are much less than the harm. This substance has a toxic effect, dries out the oral mucosa, and can also cause a severe allergic reaction and other negative consequences (found in Colgate, Aquafresh, Rembrandt, Glister, Blen-da-Med pastes). An alternative is sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), which is less irritating. In general, foam as such does not greatly affect the process of cleaning teeth, so it is advisable to choose a children’s toothpaste that is at least without sodium lauryl sulfate.
Children's toothpaste "Mango and Chrysanthemum"
The best toothpastes for children aged 7 to 9 years
The composition of toothpastes for children over 7 years old is close to adult teeth cleaning products. The enamel is already strong enough, and the child becomes more conscious and does not swallow the paste. The permitted concentration of fluoride components in this group is 1400 ppm.
Biorepair Junior Mint – sweet mint flavor
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
100%
buyers recommend this product
Biorepair Junior Mint is an Italian toothpaste for children aged 7 to 14 years. It contains vitamin E to relieve gum inflammation.
The proprietary microRepair component protects and restores microdamage to the enamel. The formula effectively cleanses, kills bacteria and keeps your breath fresh for a long time.
Most children like the taste and aroma of sweet mint. The paste does not contain sulfates, parabens, or fluorine. There are no abrasive particles or allergens here.
Pros:
- safe composition;
- does not cause allergies;
- antibacterial effect;
- relieves gum inflammation;
- protects and restores enamel.
Minuses:
- high price (450 rubles);
- not available in all stores.
Biorepair Junior Mint paste is recommended not only for daily oral hygiene, but also for children with damaged or transparent enamel, caries or increased plaque formation.
Flavoring fillers
Flavoring fillers are used in pastes to remove the effect of the unpleasant taste of individual substances included in its composition. They give the pasta a pleasant taste. For this, menthol, various varieties of mint, anise, eucalyptus, vanillin are used, as well as sweeteners such as saccharin that do not stimulate the development of caries. Moreover, it is worth adding that some components of the pastes can perform several functions - simultaneously acting as, for example, a sweetener and a flavoring agent. In general, the presence of saccharin and artificial colors in the recipe is undesirable.
