Trying to figure out what the best toddler toothpaste is?
This guide includes our tried and true toothpastes and current favorites – yes, we alternate between two on a daily basis.
We started brushing our daughter’s teeth as soon as the first ones came in, as recommended. This not only got my husband and I into the habit of it, it also got our little used to the routine.
But wow…it was a bit of a journey to find toothpastes we were comfortable with amidst the endless options and stream of PSAs on what to avoid.
Read on to learn what my research taught me and my recommendations for the best toddler toothpaste.
Top Three Best Toddler Toothpastes
Below are my current top 3 toddler toothpastes.
1. Dr. Brite
Dr. Brite was co-founded by Dr. Paris Sabo, a cancer surgeon, and her sister, Dr. Pooneh Ramezani, a dentist. Dr. Brite’s mission is to remove harmful ingredients from personal care products – a mission that I can get behind!.
This brand is home to the best toddler toothpaste that is fluoride-free.They use an all natural, cavity fighting alternative called nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) that has gained momentum in research. Some research even shows that it’s more effective than fluoride.
On top of that, Dr. Brite is free of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and phthalates and also contains organic ingredients wherever possible.
My kiddo is a fan of the Berrylicious flavor.
👉 Click here to buy Dr. Brite toothpaste
2. Hello
Hello is another great brand with lots of kid-friendly flavor options from watermelon to ‘unicorn sparkle bubble gum.’
They have fluoride and fluoride-free options and, similar to Dr. Brite, Hello is free of dyes, sulfates, artificial sweeteners, and other not-so-great-for-you ingredients.
One important caveat though is that the kids’ fluoride-free option does not contain nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp), an ingredient that does fluoride’s job in a more natural way.
Nano-hydroxyapatite is a non-negotiable ingredient for me when I’m considering fluoride-free toothpastes. There needs to be something to help remineralize teeth and fight cavities if I’m opting for fluoride-free!
Hello uses the ingredient ‘xylitol’ to do fluoride’s job. While there is some research supporting the positive effects of xylitol’s ability to fight cavities, it’s simply not as convincing as the power of nano-hydroxyapatite.
Personally, I think a non-toxic, natural toothpaste that is free of fluoride needs to contain both xylitol and nHAp or just nHAp to be truly effective.
Based on all of the above, it won’t shock you that we use the strawberry-flavored fluoride Hello toothpaste for my daughter.
In my experience, this brand has the best toddler toothpastes containing fluoride.
👉 Click here to buy our favorite Hello toothpaste
Note: Fun flavors are helpful for getting kids excited to brush their teeth but I would stick to the more ‘basic’ options and choose strawberry or watermelon over some of the more enticing ones – I.e., the unicorn special haha.
The fancier and more fun it sounds, the more gunk that’s in it. Sorry!
3. RiseWell
RiseWell is new on my radar and it is another fantastic fluoride-free option for your kiddos.
Their signature flavor for kids is ‘cake batter’ and it appears to be an absolute hit with both parents and little ones.
Similar to Dr. Brite, RiseWell uses a combination of xylitol and nano-hydroxyapatite – in place of fluoride – to fight cavities. They also highlight silica and calcium carbonate as safe ingredients that scrub teeth naturally and effectively.
Finally, RiseWell is also free of SLS/sulfates and parabens, making it another safe and healthy option for your kiddos!
👉 Click here to buy RiseWell toothpaste
Our Teeth Brushing Routine with the Best Toddler Toothpastes
In our household we choose to alternate our toddler between two toothpastes – here are the details!
✨ We alternate between using fluoride and nano-hydroxyapatite for our daughter on a daily basis.
✨ In the mornings we use the Hello fluoride toothpaste because she has more energy. She’ll at least try to gargle and spit after brushing her teeth which disposes of the fluoride.
✨ In the evenings, when the gargle and spit steps are usually skipped, we use Dr. Brite’s nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste.
✨ Even though I don’t think swallowing fluoride in small amounts is a big deal, I’m more okay with her swallowing a fully non-toxic option that is nHAp-based.
Ingredients to Avoid While You Search for the Best Toddler Toothpaste
While it may not be practical to avoid all of the ingredients below, these are good to be aware of when you make your selection.
Fluoride
Fluoride is top of the “what to avoid” list lately but I’d take this with a grain of salt.
The greater wellness movement has dismissed fluoride and defined it as a substance that can cause different types of fluorosis and even neurotoxicity when consumed in large quantities.
While this is true, fluoride is also a well-researched ingredient effective in remineralizing teeth and preventing cavities.
What do I make of all of this? With the above info plus what I know from prior research, I’m more concerned about excessive fluoride ingestion through the water we drink than a bit of toothpaste.
Since toddlers and kids are known to swallow more of their toothpaste than spit it out, I recommend the following:
- Use a hydroxyapatite-based toothpaste or alternate that with a fluoride one
- If you are using fluoride toothpaste, make sure you use appropriate amounts of it (the size of a grain of rice) for children under 3 years of age, per the American Dental Association
Harsh Abrasives
These types of ingredients often appear in adult toothpaste but sometimes creep into kids’ toothpastes.
Harsh abrasives can be a concern in children’s toothpaste because while they help remove plaque, they can also erode enamel if too strong. Since kids’ teeth are still developing, the enamel is softer and more vulnerable to damage.
Using toothpaste with gentler abrasives ensures that the cleaning process is effective without causing unnecessary wear on their teeth, helping to protect their long-term dental health.
An example of a harsh abrasive is aluminum hydroxide.
Examples of milder abrasives include:
- Hydrated silica
- Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- Dicalcium phosphate
- Silicon dioxide
These milder abrasives clean teeth effectively and are ideal for toddlers’ toothpaste.
Sweeteners
Sweeteners are often added to children’s toothpaste to improve its taste, but they can sometimes create a problem.
While making toothpaste more palatable encourages kids to brush regularly, sweeteners – especially artificial ones – may lead to swallowing rather than spitting out toothpaste. And, if you use a fluoride-based toothpaste for your child, swallowing a lot of it could be detrimental.
Sweeteners also negatively impact the gut microbiome.
Artificial Dyes
Artificial dyes irk me the most. They’re used to brighten children’s toothpaste and entice little ones to brush their teeth but they also have negative side effects.
Research is still in the early stages but dyes have been linked to some cancers and allergic reactions.
And, even though they have been prohibited in most of the European Union, ‘blue 1’ and a number of other dyes are still allowed in foods and toothpastes in the U.S.
So for now, I suggest passing on most of the Crest brand’s options for kids, including their ‘sparkle fun’ flavor.
Detergents/Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Detergents like SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) are commonly used in toothpaste to create a foaming action, but they can cause irritation for children.
SLS is known to dry out the soft tissues in the mouth which can make brushing uncomfortable. Choosing an SLS-free toothpaste may reduce irritation and be a gentler option for kids.
More on the Nano-hydroxyapatite that’s in the Best Toddler Toothpastes
Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) was first used by NASA astronauts who were losing mineral in their teeth from prolonged space stays.
nHAp is a naturally occurring mineral that remineralizes teeth.
Proponents appreciate that nano-hydroxyapatite is safe to swallow. This is important for kids learning how to use toothpaste as a means to clean their teeth and not as an amuse bouche before breakfast haha.
I’ve asked my 2 year-old’s pediatric dentist about the ingredient and she said the research that’s been done around it focuses on adults so there’s not much evidence that it’s good for kids’ teeth. That being said, it’s not harmful to try.
Should ‘Organic’ Be on Your Checklist for the Best Toddler Toothpaste?
I appreciate the value of organic products but I do not think organic ingredients are vital in our toothpaste. Especially since we don’t ingest toothpaste in large amounts.
However, organic toothpastes are typically free from synthetic chemicals, artificial flavors, and preservatives. I do understand the appeal here. The good thing is the top toothpastes I recommend from my research also feature minimal chemicals and preservatives.
I don’t think there’s a need to excessively worry about ‘organic’ as a separate requirement for your toddler’s toothpaste.
FAQ: Best Toddler Toothpaste
Below are some common FAQs related to the best toddler toothpaste hunt!
Are toddler toothpastes safe to swallow?
If they’re hydroxyapatite-based, then the answer is yes. And, if the toothpastes are fluoride-based, the answer is also yes IF you keep the amount of toothpaste used similar to the size of a grain of rice.
Why is it important to brush primary teeth?
Primary teeth aren’t your children’s permanent teeth but improper oral healthcare of baby teeth can lead to tooth decay and other complications. Also, brushing primary teeth helps your little one to build a good teeth brushing habit.
Does my toddler’s toothpaste need to have the ADA seal of acceptance?
This is a nice-to-have and not essential. The American Dental Association (ADA) requirements toothpastes to contain fluoride. Important to note – nano-hydroxyapatite does not yet have the ADA’s approval but we still use it and recommend it for the above mentioned reasons.
How do I get my toddler interested in teeth brushing?
Start early and make it engaging! My toddler LOVES books so we used a teeth brushing book to get her into the idea. We also made a sticker book reward system which you can read more about here.
👉 Click here to buy our favorite teeth brushing book
Final Verdict: Best Toddler Toothpaste 2024
So, what’s the final verdict? I’m team nano-hydroxyapatite (Dr. Brite and RiseWell), but I still include a fluoride-based option like Hello for variety.
There are a lot of ingredients to consider but I hope this breakdown of what to think through leads you to finding the best toddler toothpaste for your kiddos!