What is the Best Toothpaste for Teeth Cleaning?

If you have ever wandered down the toothpaste isle in the supermarket-you may have been overwhelmed by the number of brands, flavors, specialties, adult pastes, kid pastes, over age 50 pastes and on and on and on…

What is the best toothpaste for teeth cleaning you ask? It depends on the age of the child. From infancy it is recommended that parents wipe the gums with a washcloth to remove bacteria and to get the child comfortable with the act of brushing. As teeth begin to appear, it is imperative that the teeth are brushed with a soft toothbrush morning and night -especially right before laying the child down to sleep. For children under 2 1/2-3 years old, continue using water only or toothpaste without fluoride on the toothbrush until the child is able to spit out any paste used; there are some brands of training toothpastes geared toward toddlers. While there are many brands to choose from when picking fluoride-free toothpaste, it is personal preference based on taste or other additives in the toothpaste, but the act of brushing is more important on younger children than the toothpaste used.

Once the child has mastered the technique of spitting, and they are ready to start with fluoride toothpaste on the toothbrush, the best toothpaste for teeth cleaning is one that contains fluoride and has the American Dental Association “Seal of Approval” on the label. As each child’s tastes preferences are unique, the brand and flavor may vary; the important thing is finding one that your child likes and will use daily.

Picking Out the Best Toothpaste for Teeth Cleaning

Although we cannot alleviate the sensory overload in the toothpaste isle, we can provide a road map to guide you through the maze of choices and selections. The best toothpaste for teeth cleaning is one that is age appropriate, non-fluoride for under age 3 (unless recommended by your pediatric dentist), fluoridated once the child can spit out the paste, contains the ADA “Seal of Approval”, the child likes the taste and the teeth are brushed morning and night.