The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry states that it’s time to begin using fluoride toothpaste when your child’s first tooth erupts.By doing this, children are accustomed to brushing from an early age and help avoid cavities and gum disease. According to Dr. Amr Moursi, a professor and chairman of pediatric dentistry at the New York University College of Dentistry, selecting a toothpaste made especially for kids can make the experience more pleasurable for them, even though there is no difference in effectiveness between toothpaste for adults and children. Brushing becomes something they look forward to when they recognize a cartoon figure on the tube or feel enthused by the delicious taste of the paste.
According to Dr. Lisa Creaven, a dentist and co-founder of Made By Dentists, children are far more proactive about their oral health when they take responsibility for it.(Ed’s note: Creaven had no influence over the inclusion of Made By Dentists products in this article.)It all comes down to developing long-term positive behaviors.
I talked to dentists about what to look for when buying for children’s toothpaste and compiled a list of a few products that fit their recommendations. Additionally, dentists offered advice on how to encourage children to brush their teeth without causing them any worry.
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Most fun experienceCrest Kids Advanced Color Changing Toothpaste
$undefined$16.23Amazon
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Best flavorsHello Fluoride Kids Toothpaste Variety Pack
$undefined$14.19Amazon
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Best dispenserColgate Kids Maximum Cavity Protection Toothpaste
$undefined$23.76Amazon
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How I picked the best kids toothpastes
Purchasing toothpaste for children and adults is nearly the same because there aren’t many differences between the two. These are the most crucial elements to consider.
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American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance
: TheADA Seal of Acceptance
is the gold standard when it comes to dental care products, says Moursi. When you see it on packaging, it means the brand submitted evidence to the organization showing that its product meets specific safety and efficacy requirements. That doesn t mean dental care products without the ADA s seal are ineffective it just means the brand hasn t submitted their products for the organization to evaluate.
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Fluoride
: The ADA and the AAPD, as well as all the dentists I spoke to, recommend choosing a kids toothpaste with fluoride, a cavity-fighting ingredient that strengthens enamel. All ADA-approved toothpastes are made with fluoride if you re buying one that s not ADA-approved, make sure it says fluoride and/or anticavity on the label. -
Sodium lauryl sulfate
: SLS is a common ingredient added to toothpaste to make it foamy, says Dr.Breno Reboucas
, a clinical associate professor and the director of predoctoral pediatric dentistry at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine. It also helps break down and loosen food debris on the surface of teeth. Some people are sensitive to SLS, so if you know your child is or are worried about it, choose a SLS-free toothpaste and talk to your dentist.
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Flavor
: Kids taste buds are generally more sensitive than adults , so toothpaste typically comes in fruity flavors rather than minty ones. Kids often say mint toothpaste tastes spicy, and to them, it really does, says Creaven. It might take some trial-and-error to find a flavor your child likes, so listen to their preferences. All ADA-approved toothpastes don t have flavoring agents that can cause or contribute to tooth decay, like sugar if you re buying a toothpaste that s not ADA-approved, read the label closely and try to avoid ingredients like artificial dyes and sugars. -
Texture
: Toothpaste comes in pastes, which are thicker and grittier, and gels, which are smoother and less abrasive. Like flavor, texture is a personal preference. -
Packaging
: The bright colors, recognizable characters and big font on kids toothpaste is there for a reason: it makes the tube more appealing to children and encourages them to use it. If your child loves a specific cartoon or has a favorite color, try to pick a toothpaste that aligns with their interests so they re excited about it.
The best kids toothpastes of 2025
All of the children’s toothpastes listed below adhere to dentists’ recommendations: they are fluoridated, ADA-approved, sugar-free, and feature kid-friendly tastes and packaging. I’ve highlighted which flavors each choice comes in as well as which ones are prepared with SLS in case you want to avoid it.
Best overall:
Crest Kid s Cavity Protection Toothpaste
Crest Kid s Cavity Protection Toothpaste
The sparkles are blended into the toothpaste’s formula when you or your child squeeze it out of the tube. It has a screw-off cap and tastes sweet.
SLS:yes|Tastes: glittering good time
Most basic:
Colgate Kids Toothpaste
Colgate for Kids Toothpaste
Seeing their favorite Minions characters grinning on the toothpaste’s package will make any Minions fan pleased. The tube may be placed on worktops or in cupboards because of its flat, flip-top lid.
Yes, SLS| Mild bubble fruit flavors
Most fun experience:
Crest Kids Advanced Color Changing Toothpaste
Crest Kids Advanced Color Changing Toothpaste
This toothpaste turns from blue to pink after two minutes of use to motivate children to brush for a sufficient amount of time. You can stand it up thanks to its flat, flip-top cap.
Bubblegum flavors and SLS: yes
Best dispenser:
Colgate Kids Maximum Cavity Protection Toothpaste
Colgate Kids Maximum Cavity Protection Toothpaste
It might be simpler for some kids to dispense toothpaste from this pump rather than squeeze it out of a regular tube. Additionally, it allows individuals greater control over the amount of toothpaste they apply to their toothbrush. Although the packaging is vibrant and colorful, older kids might prefer this alternative because it has a more understated design than toothpaste with cartoons on it. The bottom of the tube is flat.
Bubble fruit flavors | SLS: yes
Best flavors:
Hello Fluoride Kids Toothpaste Variety Pack
Hello Fluoride Kids Toothpaste Variety Pack
With this variety pack, your child may sample all three of the flavors of Hello’s Kids toothpaste to determine which they like. The toothpaste comes in vibrant tubes with flip-top, flat lids.
SLS:noFlavors include unicorn glitter bubble gum, blue raspberry (dragon dazzle), and wild strawberry.
Best SLS-free:
Made By Dentists Kid s Toothpaste
Made By Dentists Kid s Toothpaste
Kids will look forward to brushing their teeth twice a day because to the adorable characters, vibrant patterns, and variety of flavors offered by Made By Dentists toothpastes. The toothpaste’s tube is recyclable, and it has no artificial coloring or dyes.
SLS:noFlavors include strawberry (cheetah dust), watermelon (eyeball juice), sour apple (monster slime), and grape (alien blood).
Best natural:
Burt s Bees Kids Fluoride Toothpaste
Burt s Bees Kids Fluoride Toothpaste
According to experts, children’s toothpastes that are promoted as natural, like this one from Burt’s Bees, typically don’t contain artificial flavors, ingredients, preservatives, sweeteners, or colors. As long as a toothpaste brand is ADA-approved, its efficacy will not be impacted by the reasons for its “natural” label. The cap of this toothpaste is flat and flip-top.
Flavors: strawberry splash | SLS: no
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How much toothpaste should kids use?
Children must learn how to spit since it’s a difficult motion that requires a lot of muscular control and precision, according to Creaven. Some children may not begin to spit until they are four years old or older, while others may begin at the age of two. As a result, children frequently swallow toothpaste while brushing, therefore it’s crucial to watch how much they use.
According to Moursi, brushing a baby’s teeth with a dot of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice may not seem like much, but it contains enough fluoride to prevent cavities. According to Reboucas, you can then move on to brushing a child’s teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when they are around three years old.
How to teach kids to brush their teeth
Teaching children to brush their teeth is similar to potty training in that it requires early initiation, consistency, and a pleasurable experience. Among the most crucial things a parent should keep in mind? Don’t worry; educating your children to wash their teeth will take time. According to Creaven, it’s sufficient to simply put the brush in their mouth the first few times. They are more likely to form lifelong favorable habits if you make the encounter pleasurable.
Here are some dentists’ best recommendations for teaching children to wash their teeth and making it a fun activity.
Frequently Asked Questions
As soon as a child’s first tooth erupts, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises them to begin using fluoride toothpaste. According to Moursi, this often occurs at six months of age, although it can occur even earlier for certain children. When your child’s first tooth erupts, experts advise seeing a pediatric dentist to ensure everything appears healthy and to receive oral hygiene recommendations specific to your child’s mouth.
According to Moursi, there is no difference in the effectiveness of regular adult and children’s toothpaste. They clean teeth similarly and contain a comparable amount of fluoride to prevent cavities. Flavoring and packaging are the primary areas of distinction.
According to Creaven, children’s taste receptors are often more sensitive than those of adults. As a result, children’s toothpaste is usually fruity rather than minty, which children usually describe as tasting spicy. Additionally, packaging is made especially to appeal to kids. Kids are drawn to and want to use it because of its huge print, engaging words or phrases, brilliant colors, and recognizable figures.
According to Reboucas, there is no set age at which children should switch to adult toothpaste. Kids’ preferences for flavor and packaging, as well as whether they have any new dental needs, usually determine the transfer. You’ll most likely need to choose an adult option, for instance, if your child’s dentist advises using toothpaste for sensitive teeth once they develop dental sensitivity.
According to Creaven, children who have fluorosis may develop little white spots on the enamel, or outer layer, of their teeth. According to Reboucas, it is brought on by children consuming (swallowing) more fluoride than is advised during the development of tooth enamel.
If children use the recommended amount of fluoride toothpaste, fluorosis is typically not a worry. According to Reboucas, parents are advised to watch over their kids as they brush and give them the right amount of toothpaste to ensure that they won’t swallow it. In order to discourage small children from ingesting large quantities of toothpaste when parents aren’t there, it’s also crucial to keep the tube out of their reach.
Fluorosis is more of a concern in cases where dentists prescribe supplemental fluoride through gels, for example if kids aren t getting enough exposure through a combination of toothpaste, drinking water and their diet, they re at a higher risk of getting cavities. But even then, fluoride is prescribed in specific, controlled, measured doses so it s safe, says Reboucas.
Yes, kids need toflossand usemouthwashjust like adults do, says Reboucas. Similar to kids toothpaste, brands make kids floss and mouthwash, which is flavored and packaged to appeal to them.
When your child should start flossing and using mouthwash is specific to their oral health, so talk to their dentist. Typically, however, Reboucas recommends kids start flossing when their teeth touch each other. They can start using mouthwash around 6 years old, but wait until later if they can t effectively spit the solution out. Kids should not swallow mouthwash or use those that contain alcohol, he says.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with professionals that possess specific expertise and power derived from pertinent education and/or job experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
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Dr.
Lisa Creaven
is a dentist and the co-founder ofMade By Dentists
.
(Ed s note: The inclusion of products sold by Made By Dentists in this article was made independently of Creaven.)
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Dr.
Breno Reboucas
is a clinical associate professor and the director of predoctoral pediatric dentistry at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine.
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Dr.
Amr Moursi
is a professor and chairman of pediatric dentistry at the New York University College of Dentistry.
Why trust NBC Select?
I m areporter at NBC Selectwho has covered dental care since 2020, including topics likeelectric toothbrushes,water flossersandteeth whitening. To write this article, I interviewed three dentists about how to shop for kids toothpaste and rounded up the best ADA-accepted options to shop.
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