Overview

Toothpaste is an important part of our daily routine for oral hygiene and is as important for children’s teeth, too. It may seem rational to use adult toothpaste for children, but this is far from the truth. Although adult toothpastes provide protection against caries and staining of the teeth, the formulations in these toothpastes are too harsh for primary teeth and cause abrasions, doing more harm than good.¹ 

The brushing experience for children must be pleasant so that they receive all the benefits from fluoride in their appropriate toothpaste. Incorporating mild toothpaste flavours and modest foaming characteristics in their brushing routine will increase brushing time, optimising their oral health. Therefore, choosing the right toothpaste for children should not be neglected.¹

This article will guide you with all the information necessary to know about kids' toothpaste and the components used in the preparation of toothpaste paste, which gives immense information so that you can choose the right kind of toothpaste for your kids.

Fluoride

Protective property of fluoride

An important component in toothpaste is fluoride, this is the main agent that helps protect the teeth from caries. It is no surprise that children consume sugar on a regular basis, and this can increase the risk of caries. Bacteria in the mouth break down dietary sugars to lactic acid, which stimulates demineralisation. This is a process in which minerals that make up the enamel are dissolved; continuous cycles weaken the enamel over time.^,  The presence of fluoride limits demineralisation and promotes remineralisation. Remineralisation is the natural repair process from acid attacks to the teeth, it involves rebuilding the tooth surface, which is more resistant to acidic environments.

Recommended doses of fluoride

Children below the age of 3 should brush twice daily with a smear of toothpaste with at least 1,000ppm fluoride. Children between 3-4 years old should brush twice daily with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste with more than 1,000ppm fluoride. Children over 7 should brush twice daily with a toothpaste containing 1,350-1,500ppm of fluoride. As soon as a child’s teeth start to erupt, parents are advised to brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste. It is important to adhere to these recommendations to prevent the overuse of fluoride.²

Fluorosis

Overuse of fluoride can lead to fluorosis, mostly affecting the aesthetics of the enamel.^{2, 3} Fluorosis only occurs when the enamel for permanent teeth is forming, which occurs in the first six years of life. Mild cases of fluorosis include the appearance of white lines across the tooth’s surface. Higher levels of fluoride can lead to a hicker appearance of the white lines.² 

Flavour

Flavours are used in toothpastes to make the taste and smell appealing while brushing and afterwards, making the brushing experience better for some people.1 Most adult toothpastes have a minty taste, which is disliked by most children, as well as flavours like cinnamon and eucalyptus. Research and clinical practice suggest that healthy oral habits start from an early age. If your child does not like the flavour of toothpaste. It will discourage them from brushing their teeth, and these healthy habits may not develop into adulthood, so it is important to consider the personal preferences of your child in terms of the flavour of the toothpaste. A study done on 787 children between 5-12 years old revealed that most of these children preferred red coloured toothpaste with a fruity smell and sweet flavour, so starting off with strawberry-flavoured toothpaste is a good choice.⁵

Sweet and fruity toothpastes do come with minor disadvantages, though. It may increase the chances of your child's ingesting the toothpaste. Depending on the amount ingested over a short period of time, it could cause fluorosis, as well as nausea and vomiting.¹ However, it is easy to minimize this by simply supervising your child while they brush. After brushing, any remaining toothpaste left in your child’s mouth can be gently removed with a soft and wet cloth to avoid consuming the fluoride in the toothpaste.

Abrasives 

Abrasive particles in the toothpaste, as well as the act of brushing the teeth, remove plaque from the teeth.1 Dental plaque is found on the surface of the teeth and contains many microorganisms. Dental plaque is known for initiating a range of oral diseases; therefore, removing it would be better for overall oral health.6 Abrasivity can be measured by using Relative Dentine Abrasion (RDA) values. These values may be higher in adult toothpaste because of the prevalence of staining of the teeth due to the consumption of coffee and tea, which typically is not found in the diets of children. An RDA limit of 250 is considered safe for adult toothpastes, therefore, it’s best to opt for toothpastes with a value lower than this. Be sure to avoid teeth whitening toothpastes for children as these are most likely to be too harsh for your child’s teeth.⁷ 

Excessive abrasion can lead to loss of the tooth’s surface, which has further consequences.⁸ Abrasion can lead to dentin hypersensitivity (DHS). Dentin is part of the tooth’s structure, underneath the enamel. The affected teeth become hypersensitive to seemingly harmless things. Some examples include touching cold or hot foods, air-flow to the teeth, gentle touch, etc. This can be painful for your child as small triggers like these lead to short, sharp pain, which will affect their daily activities.⁹

The importance of maintaining your child’s teeth

It is crucial to monitor your child’s oral health as this will dictate the health of their teeth when their permanent teeth start to erupt. Primary teeth have important roles to play in children’s speech and eating. There is a high prevalence of dental caries in children, which results in toothache. this can further discourage your child from eating crunchy foods, including fruits and vegetables. This limits the nutrition they receive from food, affecting their overall health too. The pain from tooth decay can have a negative impact on their concentration at school and can affect behaviour too. Children with visible tooth decay may have their self-confidence affected, which has an impact on their social life too, as they may not choose to interact with their peers at school.⁵ 

With extreme cases of dental caries in which tooth extractions are required, speech can be affected.⁴. Missing teeth make it difficult to pronounce some sounds such as “th” and “la”, which makes it difficult for other people to understand what your child may be trying to communicate. In some cases, speech therapy may be required to change speech patterns. Furthermore, having primary teeth extracted earlier will cause the permanent teeth underneath to move and ‘fill the space’, causing crowded teeth.

Maintaining your child’s teeth at a young age is not only important for their oral health, but their mental health too. 

Summary

Toothpaste plays a crucial role in oral health by removing plaque and delivering fluoride to the teeth. However, there are certain considerations that need to be made when choosing the right toothpaste for children. Fluoride is a great agent in protecting the teeth from decay, but children only need small concentrations compared to adults.

It is important to follow the recommended guidelines of fluoride intake for children to prevent fluorosis. Flavour is a major factor that needs to be considered, depending on your child’s preferences. Adult toothpastes use minty flavours to provide a feeling of freshness and cool sensations, but some children may find this unappealing. It is better to opt for fruity-flavoured toothpaste so that your child will enjoy the taste while they receive the benefits of the toothpaste. Enjoying brushing time will encourage your child to be consistent with it, taking some of the stress off from parents. Be sure to supervise your child while they brush so that minimal toothpaste is ingested. Removing excess toothpaste from the mouth can be done with a soft, wet cloth. Try to avoid teeth whitening toothpastes as these can be harsh on the surface of your child’s teeth.

All these tips will help your child form healthy oral habits from an early age that they can carry into adulthood. The oral health of your child should not be neglected just because they will get their permanent teeth in early adulthood; in fact, the health of primary teeth greatly determines the health of their permanent teeth, too. By maintaining your child’s oral health, you are maintaining their mental and overall health, too.