3 Things you should know about toothpaste, if your child has braces

Posted on December 18, 2020 | Orthodontics

All toothpaste is created equal, right? Unfortunately, not so much. Over the years, the toothpaste selection has expanded. You can pretty much select any combination of flavor, whitening, and tartar control options. Since the toothpaste game isn’t straight-forward, you might need some pointers if you have a child with braces. By now, you probably know how often they need to be brushing and flossing, but let’s point out what type of toothpaste your child should be brushing with.

Here are three things to be on the lookout for when you’re selecting the right toothpaste:

Fluoride

Make sure that the toothpaste you’re selecting has fluoride as an ingredient. Fluoride will help fight against tooth decay by building up the enamel and making it stronger. It also counteracts acid. It’s really important to keep the enamel strong, while your child has braces.

Non-whitening Pastes

The vast majority of toothpastes on the market include some form of whitening agent. The reason you should avoid a toothpaste with whitener is due to the possibility that the surface not covered by the bracket may get brighter than the portion of the tooth that is covered. This could result in uneven coloring once the braces are removed.

Tartar Control

Since braces do pose somewhat of an obstacle to brushing teeth, plaque may build up in some trouble areas. What you don’t want to happen is for tartar to build up. If your child is using a toothpaste with a tartar control agent, this will help reduce the chance for any to form.

So, what’s the best kind of toothpaste?

There isn’t one, single brand that is the best for children with braces, but any toothpaste with the ADA seal (American Dental Association) is recommended. This seal means that the toothpaste has been tested, proven, and passed scientific standards. 

The top three recommended brands would be Arm & Hammer, Crest, and Colgate. As always, make sure your child approves of the flavor, otherwise you might have a whole other issue on your hands.