children's oral health FAQ + why Davids is the best toothpaste for toddlers and beyond

1: when should my child start brushing with toothpaste?

Most dental professionals agree that children are ready to start brushing around the age of 2.

It’s important to note that most of the concern regarding this timing centers around a child’s tendency to ingest toothpaste. Most dental professionals don’t recommend brushing before 2 (or after 2 without supervision) because many kids will swallow the toothpaste (after all, it tastes good), which is a problem if that toothpaste contains fluoride and other chemicals. (Note: all ADA-approved toothpastes contain fluoride.)

With Davids Natural Toothpaste, you don’t have to worry about this at all. Our toothpaste contains ingredients sourced and derived from nature....and avoids ingredients of concern. Because of this, our toothpaste is safe in the hands of your child. They can actually swallow it with no harm, although we find you get more bang for your buck if they actually use it to brush their teeth. Our NEW strawberry watermelon toothpaste is the perfect toothpaste to get your child started on their oral care routine. Actually, it’s made for adults too, so it’s a great option for the whole family.

2: why is kids oral care so important if their teeth are going to fall out anyway?

Healthy baby teeth are so important. Not only do they help them learn how to chew and talk, but they set the stage for your kiddos’ permanent teeth. Your child has a better chance of growing straight and healthy permanent teeth if their baby teeth remain in good health.

Bacteria and other oral pathogens can actually transfer from the compromised baby tooth to the permanent tooth that’s developing underneath it. Plus, if a baby tooth decays, it can fall out early. This can cause the adult teeth to grow crooked or damaged.

3: what’s the leading cause of cavities in children?

Cavities are a result of bacteria and plaque buildup. High levels of bacteria in your child’s mouth are caused by many different things, some of which include:

• A high-sugar diet
• Juice/sugary drinks throughout the night
• Poor oral hygiene
• Low saliva flow (dry mouth)
• Sharing utensils or drinking cups

To prevent cavities, be sure to teach them proper oral care habits...such as not sharing food and drinks with others, not eating sugary snacks before bed or during the night, flossing, and brushing for 2 minutes twice a day with an effective toothpaste like Davids. Our natural toothpaste works to reduce plaque, fight bad bacteria, and neutralize your kiddo’s mouth. Our hydroxyapatite toothpaste also works to repair+strengthen the enamel, creating a tougher defense against cavity-causing bacteria.

4: which is more important for my kids oral health: brushing or diet?

We hate to break it to you, but oral health depends on both good brushing habits and a mouth-friendly diet. You can’t out-brush a bad diet and vice versa.

As Dr. Mark Burhenne of Ask the Dentist explains, a diet rich in whole foods such as ethically-raised animal meats, butter, seeds, and leafy greens is great for strong and healthy teeth. It’s important that your kiddos eat more foods like this....and fewer simple starches and sugars.

5: how can I help my child with sensitive teeth?

First, understand the cause of tooth sensitivity.

Tooth sensitivity occurs when the tooth enamel (the hard outer layer) gets worn down or damaged by bacteria, acids, scratching from hard foods, and the like. Once the enamel is damaged, it can expose the “tubules” (little holes/pathways) that lead to the tooth’s center nerve. Hot and cold substances (or even just air) can cause sensitivity because these outside forces now have “access” to the tooth’s center nerve.

The best way to combat tooth sensitivity is to repair the enamel, and you can accomplish this using hydroxyapatite toothpaste. In our third-party lab testing, we found that Davids Sensitive+Whitening Nano-Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste outperformed leading competitors by successfully plugging exposed tubules.

On top of this, be sure that your child is flossing daily and brushing twice daily. Consistency is key when it comes to childrens oral health.

6: when should I start bringing my child to the dentist?

It’s recommended that you bring your child to the dentist around the 1-year mark...or within 6 months of their first tooth. During this visit, the dentist should cover the management of certain oral habits such as thumb sucking and teething and assess the development of your child’s teeth, gums, and jawline.

Your kids oral health will also reach various milestones, which we’ve outlined below. 

• age 4: by this age, it’s critical to correct any bad (lingering) oral habits such as thumb sucking. Your dentist can help you develop strategies to wean your child off these habits.
• age 7: this is when your child’s molars grow in. At this point, a dentist or orthodontist can evaluate your child’s bite and identify any potential problems, allowing you to create a plan to solve any issues.

However, if your child has any sensitivity or complaints regarding their teeth between these milestones, consider bringing them in between these milestones.

7: should my child use fluoride toothpaste or natural toothpaste?

While we can’t make this decision for you, we can say that too much fluoride can cause problems. When it comes to fluoride, there’s always the risk of fluorosis (especially when in the hands of little ones who tend to use more toothpaste than they need). Fluorosis can occur when the body gets too much fluoride in the first 8 years of life, which can cause permanent teeth to appear discolored once they grow in. It can also cause other adverse side effects.

This is why fluoride toothpaste always has a poison control warning....and experts recommend watching your child as they brush, so you can be sure they’re not ingesting too much fluoride.

With natural toothpaste, you don’t have to worry about any of these things. Our toothpaste does not contain fluoride, and it’s actually safe to ingest. If your child enjoys minty flavored toothpaste, we recommend our nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste, which is comparable to fluoride, as it works to repair and strengthen the enamel from the inside out. However, unlike fluoride, hydroxyapatite is a natural substance that already exists in your (and your child’s) body.

If your kiddo prefers fruity flavored toothpaste, try our NEW strawberry watermelon flavor! It’s safe and fun for the whole family.

8: how can hydroxyapatite toothpaste promote kids oral health? 

There are so many ways that hydroxyapatite toothpaste can promote childrens oral health. There are several studies that prove hydroxyapatite is effective in reducing dental caries and tooth sensitivity, especially in children. 

When hydroxyapatite is added into your kids oral care routine at a young age, its remineralizing powers can work to strengthen young teeth before any decay occurs. Hydroxyapatite already exists naturally in the human body. In fact, it makes up 90% of the tooth’s enamel. But over time, the body’s natural supply of hydroxyapatite can diminish, and the enamel can weaken. That’s why it’s so important to be sure to replenish the supply with daily brushing.

When kids do this starting at a young age, they set themselves up for strong and healthy teeth that are equipped to withstand the tests of time....and all the bacteria that accumulate during that time.

9: what should my kids oral care routine include?

First, we recommend reading our previous article, how to make your child’s brushing routine fun and effective. In that article, we outline a fun kids oral care routine that looks something like this.

1. Grab a bamboo toothbrush and natural kids toothpaste. We recommend our NEW strawberry watermelon flavor for kids + adults.
2. Add a pea-sized amount of toothpaste, but rest easy knowing your little one can safely swallow our natural toothpaste.
3. Hold the bamboo toothbrush so that it’s more-or-less facing the gums.
4. Gently move the toothbrush back and forth on each tooth using short+gentle strokes.
5. Brush the tongue thoroughly to remove the film of bacteria.
6. Teach them to floss. You should begin this once your child’s teeth begin to touch.

In addition to these steps, it’s important to lead by example. Your kids are always watching you, so you’ll want to make sure you’re modeling healthy oral care habits too!

10: why is Davids the best toothpaste for toddlers, growing children, and even adults?

There are so many reasons Davids is the best toothpaste for toddlers and beyond.

• We provide several fun kinds of natural toothpaste, all of which are free of chemicals, toxic ingredients, artificial ingredients, and unnecessary fillers. Every ingredient is there to promote your children's oral health. All of our flavors are safe, so you don’t have to worry about what happens when they get a hold of that toothpaste tube.
• We provide both enamel-strengthening sensitive nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste and fun fruity flavors like our NEW strawberry watermelon toothpaste.
• Our toothpaste is formulated with your (and your kiddo’s) holistic health in mind. This means we view oral health as a single component of overall health, and we chose our premium ingredients based on this ethos.

See for yourself why Davids is the best natural toothpaste for the whole family.

buy now.