The Super Dentists’ Guide to Top Oral Care Products for Kids

Not all dental products for kids are created equally. Some dental products marketed as being safe and effective for kids aren’t truly as safe or as effective as they claim. As a parent, this can be confusing and scary. How do you sift through the noise and find what’s true given that the health and wellbeing of your little ones is a top priority?

We’re here to provide what we hope will be helpful information about what actually matters when choosing kids’ oral care products, from toothpaste to mouthwash and more.

We also aim to make choosing the right products easier by providing suggestions that are tailor-made to the unique needs of you and your family.

Ready to explore how to choose everything from the best toothpaste for kids to the best floss for kids, and more? Let’s dive right in!

What Separates Great Kids’ Oral Care Products from Good Ones?

Good kids’ oral health products are proven to be safe and effective specifically for children. There are many products out there that don’t pass this test. Then there are products marketed to children in general, and while these might be good for older kids, what about toddlers or infants?

The best oral care products for kids are specially created for kids at each age and stage of oral development. Why? Simply put, kids of different ages have unique needs when it comes to not only their physical development but also their abilities where taking oral care into their own hands is concerned.

For instance, a 1-year-old might not be able to safely swallow or grip a traditional toothbrush. But a 7-year-old? They should be able to do both.

Below, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of things to consider when attempting to choose various types of pediatric mouthcare products so whether you’re searching for the best electric toothbrush for kids or the best sensitive toothpaste for kids, you’ll know what to look for!

How to Choose the Best Toothpaste for Kids

Most conventional toothpaste is filled with ingredients that are potentially irritating or harmful to people and the environment like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and microplastics. SLS in particular can decrease the efficiency of fluoride while causing inflammation.

But did you know that even kids’ toothpastes that are marketed as “natural” are often filled with ingredients that are potentially harmful, such as alcohol, aspartame, and even essential oils?

Here’s what to consider when choosing toothpaste for your kids:

• How irritating is it?: Ingredients like essential oils, baking soda, charcoal, and SLS can cause more harm than good
• Is it pH balanced?: You’ve heard of the gut microbiome. Maybe you even take probiotics for your gut health. But what about the oral microbiome? This often overlooked component of oral health is affected by everything from diet to antibiotics, and yes even oral care products ─ especially those labeled as “antiseptic” or those containing alcohol. It’s important to choose pH-balanced toothpaste that doesn’t kill good mouth bacteria.
• Does it contain artificial sweeteners flavors, colors, or foaming agents?: Avoid toothpastes with artificial flavors and dyes which are potentially harmful to kids whose bodies and mouths are still developing and foaming agents like SLS.
• Does it have fluoride?: Fluoride toothpaste can be a safe and effective anticavity agent. We recommend it if your child has mastered safe swallowing skills and they’re also cavity-prone. Otherwise, we recommend choosing products with other effective anticavity agents, like nano-hydroxyapatite.

Supermouth mouthpaste comes in safe and effective fluoride and non-fluoride options, is pH-balanced, and is even available in a special orthodontic formulation for kids with braces.

How to Choose the Best Toothbrush for Kids

To go electric or not? That is the question.

Actually, there’s a lot more that goes into choosing a safe & effective toothbrush for your little one. Specifically, you should think about your child’s age, development, ability, and preferences when considering what the best kids toothbrush, as well as the toothbrush’s specs and features.

Let’s break that down a bit.

• Materials & quality: Be sure to look for a toothbrush made with soft, high-quality bristles. One that’s been marked with the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance will usually prove safe and effective for kids.
• Interactivity: Most kids probably wouldn’t say they love brushing their teeth. But what if they used a fun toothbrush ─ one that played songs, lit up, and looked toy-like? Such toothbrushes do exist!
• Size & type for age & stage: Choosing the right size and type of toothbrush for your little one’s age and stage is important. For infants or toddlers, a toothbrush with a smaller bristle head and ultra-soft bristles is usually best. Brushes with a medium-sized brush head and soft bristles, meanwhile, are usually fine for kids between the ages of 3 and 12.
• Electric vs. manual operation: Manual toothbrushes can be both safe and effective when used correctly. But electric toothbrushes often yield similar results with less effort, especially for kids who are differently-abled or those wearing braces.

How to Choose the Best Floss for Kids

Some big-name flosses have been known to contain PTFE and PFAS. These “forever chemicals” are highly toxic, associated with certain types of cancer, and should be avoided at all costs.

Other flosses contain petroleum-based waxes, which can also be harmful to human health and the environment.

Be sure to avoid options with either of these substances.

Instead, opt for a floss that:

• Expands with use for extra plaque removal and less irritation (sometimes called “expanding floss”)
• Is coated only with natural ingredients, like beeswax, never PTFE or PFAS
• Is infused with anticavity agents like Hydroxamin
• Is available in flavors that kids love, like chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, or mint

Looking for the best floss for kids? Supermouth floss offers all the above and more.

How to Choose the Best Mouthwash for Kids

Mouthwash can be a helpful addition to your daily oral care routine.

But as is the case with toothbrushes, floss, and toothpaste, it’s important to choose mouthwash wisely.

The same considerations apply to choosing mouthwash as toothpaste. Namely, you want to avoid harsh mouthwashes that disrupt the oral microbiome and mouth pH ─ especially antiseptic mouthwashes or alcohol-based mouthwashes. You also want to look for mouthwashes without added coloring or sweeteners.

Lastly, if your child has mastered safe swallowing skills and is cavity-prone, a fluoride mouthwash may be best. Otherwise, a non-fluoride rinse is likely a better alternative.

Find the Best Oral Care Products for Your Little Ones

Now that you know what to look for in kids’ toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, and mouthwash, we invite you to take our mouthcare assessment to uncover specific age-appropriate products for your little one.

We’ve designed our assessment to provide you with tailor-made advice and product recommendations so that you can ensure you’re choosing the best products for your little one’s unique abilities given their developmental stage.

Shop Pediatric-Dentist-Approved Mouthcare Products

Ready to combat tooth decay and encourage healthy dental habits? Shop dentist-recommended mouthwash, mouthpaste, toothbrushes, and floss at Supermouth.com.