Can little kids use toothpaste too?

United States
June 16, 2007 10:56pm CST
My daughter has been using toothpaste for awhile now, and she's only three years old. But, a friend of mine said that you're not supposed to use toothpaste until they're at least four years old. Does anyone know if this is true? Personally I wonder how she is keeping her kid's teeth clean without toothpaste!
2 people like this
13 responses
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
17 Jun 07
When my son was young, I was told toothpaste (any kind) would be ok as long as the correct amount was used (drop smaller than a pea). For small kids they should get an amount smaller than a pea. However, if you buy toothpaste meant for younger kids, you probably get a safer product for them. You should still not use a lot since they will swallow it.
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
17 Jun 07
yup. better to use toothpaste which is designed for kids. safer for them. i think it's designed to be safe, too that even if they swallow it, it won't cause them harm as well. but it's always preferred to put small amounts of it for kids... anne
@4cuteboys (4099)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I use a special toothpaste made for little ones for my infant and 2 year old. They are fluroide free I believe. They are called training toothpaste. Orajel makes them and I'm sure some other brands too.
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
17 Jun 07
i know that kids when reaching age 1 is already allowed to use toothpastes. there are lots of kiddie toothpastes availabe in the market these days. they are designed for kids. and they also clean their teeth well. gosh, i wonder how to clean a child's teeth without using toothpaste until the age of 4 years old. poor kids... anne
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
17 Jun 07
There is toothpaste that you can buy especially for children 12 months +. Thats what I buy my children.
@dentidle (293)
• Switzerland
17 Jun 07
kids have to get their teeth cleaned soon after they get teeth in their jaw. How can we clean it without using a tooth paste. Ofcourse we have to clean it with tooth paste, there are tooth pastes specially for kids in the market, which do not do any harm even if little bit is ingested by mistake. can apply little paste on the teeth, brush it using a soft bristled brush and wipe it off with cotton, if kids do not co-operate with rinsing or until they are big enough to practise rinsing. This is what i was advised to do to my kid. Kids can catch up caries if unattended and so its very important to use the tooth paste to maintain the oral hygiene.
• India
18 Jun 07
Yes, your friend was correct. Usually you should use toothpaste once the child gets second set of teeths. Till then clean it with salt. LIFE IS FULL OF CHALLENGES! TO EDUCATE YOURSELF ...VISIT: http://harikrishnarao.co.nr/
@nnsb75 (632)
• United States
17 Jun 07
i was using a oragel toothpaste for my little boy since he was one coz that what his pediatrician recommended, we're supposed to give our little ones the flouride free toothpaste coz they tend to swallow the toothpaste, you might wanna educate your friend or ask her where did she get that idea coz theres no children that just start growing teeth at 4 years old lol..
@freak369 (5113)
• United States
17 Jun 07
There are lost of different toothpastes for kids under the age of six. My friend has a 15 month old and uses an organic toothpaste on her son. He has started mimicking her actions when she brushes his teeth and pretty soon he will be doing it himself. Here are some that we have used: ==Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry Natural Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste For Children ==Colgate Spongebob Squarepants Fluoride Anti-Cavity Toothpaste for Kids ==Aquafresh Triple Protection Toothpaste for Kids
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
17 Jun 07
We have been using fluoride free toothpaste on our son since his teeth started poking through. We just use a very small amount on his little toothbrush. That's what his pediatrician recommended. He said that it's good to get them in the habit of using toothpaste when they are small, so they aren't so opposed to it when they get older. But too much fluoride is bad for them, so they shouldn't have any with fluoride in it until they are old enough to spit it ALL out, usually around 4 or 5.
@youless (112091)
• Guangzhou, China
17 Jun 07
My son is three years old. But I haven't given him toothpaste yet. He just uses toothbrush and water and that's all.
• United States
17 Jun 07
If you would read on the toothpaste I believe it says not for children under 2 and to only give a pea size amount in case they swallow it. They do however have children's toothpaste now that they can swallow and it won't hurt them. If you are afraid of your daughter swallowing it then get her some children's. They say swallowing toothpaste is bad, but I have done it since I was a kid and I haven't fallen apart yet or gotten sick over it....lol
@wiccania (3360)
• United States
17 Jun 07
Kids aren't supposed to use toothpaste with flouride until they're at least 4, because of flouride poisoning issues (swallowing too much toothpaste can be bad for her health). They sell toothpaste for children under the age of 4 without flouride, and kids toothpaste with less flouride.
@farazkh1 (1153)
• Pakistan
17 Jun 07
I think she is right and i will also not allow my wife to brush my kids teeth with toothpaste until they reach 5 because tooth pastes contains some heavy chemicals and acids to clean our teeths which can be more harmful when swallowed and we know children swallow every thing which they find tastes good .......... its better for you to give them plaing brushing without using any chemical made stuff ....