The Best Toothpaste for Kids

Of all the parenting must-dos, teeth-brushing is perhaps the most dreaded daily chore. Instilling good teeth habits can be, well – like pulling teeth. Regardless of the level of enthusiasm in either party, however, it's still an incredibly important daily hygiene habit to instill in your child. Not there yet? Well, your kiddo certainly can be if you start with the most enticing kid-friendly materials. Namely, a rad new toothbrush and high-quality, tasty, and 100% safe toothpaste. Here you'll find our team's picks, all of which are top contenders for the best child-safe toothpastes out there.

Tom’s of Maine Children’s Fluoride Anticavity Gel

Compliments of the Tooth Fairy

Tom's of Maine knew what they were doing when they created this sparkly, child-friendly toothpaste.

Best Overall

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Tom’s of Maine sets the bar high with a tasty, safe, and effective gel toothpaste. Made with fluoride (although there is a fluoride-free option), your kids will protect their teeth and gums while they work on developing healthy teeth habits. Using calcium and silica to clean and polish, their teeth will sparkle and their breath will remain fresh long after they’ve brushed them.

Pros:

Multiple flavors to choose from, including mint, orange mango, and a fluoride-free strawberry.
Completely recyclable tube.
Delicious, child-friendly flavors.

Cons:

The cap design isn’t the easiest or most reliable.

Crest Kid’s Cavity Protection Toothpaste

A Sparkly Toothpaste Option for Kiddos

Sparkling, fun toothpaste that'll entice little ones to make teeth-brushing a part of their daily ritual.

Best Value

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Completely gentle on your children’s developing mouth, this toothpaste fights cavities and bad breath using clinically proven Fluoristat. Containing zero sugar, this ADA-accepted toothpaste is totally safe to use on your youngster’s teeth. In fact, according to the ADA Council’s Scientific Affairs’ Acceptance, this toothpaste has been proven to be effective in the goal of preventing and/or reducing tooth decay. Having a difficult time convincing your child to brush their teeth? With sparkles infused into the paste, your little one will look forward to teeth-brushing time with glee.

Pros:

Yummy, sugar-free flavor to encourage a daily teeth-brushing habit.
This is a gluten-free product.
Safe to use on toddlers, too.

Cons:

The paste is a bit thick, causing this tube of toothpaste to not last as long as is typical.

Burt’s Bees Kids Toothpaste with Fluoride

Au Naturel

King of the all-natural world, this toothpaste from Burt's Bees is about to be a new favorite healthy toothpaste.

Best Without Artificial Flavors

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Fighting cavities with fluoride but without a list of other harmful ingredients, this toothpaste from Burt’s Bees is safe and high-quality enough for even the choosiest parents. In fact, there are no SLS, artificial flavors or sweeteners, or even preservatives or food coloring. That food coloring bit? Believe it or not, that’s hard to find in kids’ toothpaste. And if your child has an allergy or reaction to food coloring, that can be a pretty major challenge.

Pros:

Not tested on animals and no microbeads.
“Fruit fusion” flavor has a light flavor that leaves breath fresh smelling.
Uses stevia for sweetener.

Cons:

Due to no SLS, this is a very lightly foaming toothpaste.

Hello Oral Care Fluoride Free and SLS Free Toothpaste

Mouth- and Tummy-Friendly Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

Avoiding fluoride? This high-quality fluoride-free toothpaste is an excellent option.

Best Fluoride-Free

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Looking to nix the fluoride from your toothpaste products? You’ll want to get one that’ll properly polish and clean your kiddo’s teeth and gums. This natural watermelon-flavored toothpaste is formulated using the gentlest ingredients that still work wonders on your little one’s developing teeth. But perhaps what makes this such a great kid’s toothpaste product is what it doesn’t have in it. Completely free from dyes, sulfates, and artificial flavors or sweeteners, you’ll feel totally fine if your kiddo accidentally swallows a bit of this toothpaste. After all, with the yummy flavor of this toothpaste, it’s bound to happen a few times – accidently or not.

Pros:

Vegan and water-safe, this is a thoughtfully designed product. There are no microbeads present in this toothpaste, either. Win-win for both your child and the environment.
Gluten-free and not tested on animals.
Packaging is 100%-recycled paperboard and printed using soy inks.

Cons:

The paste is super sticky and the cap is difficult to open, which is a combination that isn’t the most ideal for youngsters learning how to open and close their own toothpaste cap.

RADIUS Organic Toothpaste

Quality Toothpaste, Quality Business Practices

In search of an organic toothpaste option? Look no further than this one from RADIUS.

Best Organic

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In search of a high-quality, organic toothpaste option? It might seem as if your choices are somewhat limited, and that’s because they are. In fact, this certified women-owned company has created one of the first USDA-certified organic toothpastes out there. Good thing it’s such a great option. This completely non-toxic toothpaste gel will leave your youngster’s mouth feeling fresh and clean. And it’s not just organic, but also free of unnecessary additives that are found in many children’s toothpastes. With two flavors – coconut banana and dragon fruit – your little one will look forward to brushing their teeth every day.

Pros:

Made in the USA in small batches with energy-efficient machines in a solar-powered factory. If that’s not a business practice that feels good, we don’t know what is.
Made using erythritol, which is tooth-friendly and totally safe.
Completely nontoxic and 100% organic.

Cons:

If fluoride is important to you, you’ll have to look elsewhere. This toothpaste is free of fluoride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Any tips on getting my toddler to brush their teeth?

As with most tricks of the trade when it comes to parenting toddlers, turn this personal chore into something fun. What that fun looks like is up to you, and it can change on a whim whenever you need it to. In our household, we first got our toddler to brush her teeth by having her beloved stuffed lion do it, complete with a special song that he would sing during the entirety of the brushing. You could try a fun egg timer (set it for the recommended time of two minutes), a story, or perhaps even tandem brushing (they brush yours while you brush theirs).

The best tip, however? Start ’em young. Give your baby a toothbrush to gum even before they have teeth, and they’ll be used to the action when it comes time to actually brushing their teeth.

How many times per day should kids brush their teeth?

As with adults, it’s recommended that children brush their teeth twice per day for two minutes each time. It’s perfectly fine to build up to that over time.

When should children begin brushing and flossing?

Believe it or not, flossing is a daily habit that should start as soon as your kiddo has two teeth that touch. This is typically around the ages of 2 to 3. Giving them ownership over their brushing and flossing habits is key to your kid’s comfort. You can allow them to brush and floss first, and you check after, for example. Regardless, it’s important to introduce brushing and flossing as mandatory daily chores that everyone does. Lead by example and they’ll be more inclined to try it, as well.