Once your child’s first tooth comes in, it’s time to start brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry — it helps prevent cavities and gum disease, and gets kids used to brushing from a young age.
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it → come → age
There is no difference between adult and kid toothpaste in terms of effectiveness, but choosing a product created specifically for children can make the experience more enjoyable for them, says Dr. Amr Moursi, a professor and chairman of pediatric dentistry at the New York University College of Dentistry.
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Moursi → be → Dentistry
When they see a familiar cartoon character on the tube or get excited about the paste’s fruity flavor, brushing becomes something they look forward to.
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they → see → flavor
“When kids take ownership of their oral health, they’re much more proactive about it,” says Dr. Lisa Creaven, a dentist and the co-founder of Made By Dentists.
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Creaven → take → Dentists
(Ed’s note: The inclusion of products sold by Made By Dentists in this article was made independently of Creaven.)
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inclusion → sell → Creaven
“It’s all about establishing good habits in the long-term.”
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It → ’ → term
I spoke to dentists about what to look for when shopping for kids toothpaste and rounded up a handful of options that meet their guidance.
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that → speak → guidance
Dentists also shared tips for teaching kids how to brush their teeth in the most stress-free way possible.
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Dentists → share → way
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The best kids toothpastes of 2026
All of the kids toothpastes below are made with fluoride, sugar-free, ADA-accepted and have flavors and packaging that appeals to kids.
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that → want → kids
I noted which ones are made with SLS in case you’re looking to avoid it, and noted which flavors each option comes in.
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option → note → flavors
When you or your child squeeze this blue toothpaste out of its tube, you’ll see the sparkles mixed into its formula.
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sparkles → squeeze → formula
It has a sweet flavor and screw-off cap.
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It → have → flavor
To encourage kids to brush for long enough, this toothpaste changes color from blue to pink after two minutes of use.
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toothpaste → encourage → use
It has a flat, flip-top cap so you can stand it up.
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you → have → it
Hello’s kids toothpaste comes in three flavors, and with this variety pack, your child can try all of them to decide which one they like best.
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they → come → one
The toothpaste is packed in colorful tubes that have flat, flip-top caps.
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that → pack → caps
Some children may find dispensing toothpaste from this pump easier than squeezing it out of a standard tube.
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dispensing → find → tube
It also gives them more control over how much paste they put on their toothbrush.
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they → give → toothbrush
The packaging is bright and colorful, but its design is more subtle compared to toothpaste with cartoons on it, so older children may gravitate toward this option.
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children → compare → option
The tube has a flat bottom.
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tube → have → bottom
The cute characters, colorful designs and many flavor options of Made By Dentists’ toothpastes are sure to make kids look forward to brushing their teeth twice a day.
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kids → make → teeth
Most basic
Any “Minions” fan will be happy to see their favorite characters smiling on this toothpaste’s packaging.
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characters → see → packaging
The tube has a flat, flip-top cap so you can stand it up on counters or in cabinets.
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you → have → cabinets
Best natural
Kids toothpastes marketed as “natural,” like this one from Burt’s Bees, tend to be free from artificial flavors, ingredients, preservatives, sweetness and colors, experts told me.
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experts → market → me
Whatever causes a brand to call their toothpaste “natural” won’t impact its effectiveness, so long as it’s ADA-approved.
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it → cause → effectiveness
This toothpaste has a flat, flip-top cap.
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toothpaste → have → cap
How to shop for a kid-friendly toothpaste
There’s not much of a difference when it comes to shopping for a kid toothpaste versus an adult toothpaste.
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it → shop → toothpaste
Here are the most important factors to pay attention to, all of which I kept in mind to compile our list:
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I → pay → list
- American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance: The ADA Seal of Acceptance is the gold standard when it comes to dental care products, says Moursi.
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Moursi → come → products
When you see it on packaging, it means the brand submitted evidence to the organization showing that its product meets specific safety and efficacy requirements.
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product → see → requirements
That doesn’t mean dental care products without the ADA’s seal are ineffective — it just means the brand hasn’t submitted their products for the organization to evaluate.
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organization → mean → products
The ADA and the AAPD, as well as all the dentists I spoke to, recommend choosing a kids toothpaste with fluoride, a cavity-fighting ingredient that strengthens enamel.
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that → speak → enamel
All ADA-approved toothpastes are made with fluoride — if you’re buying one that’s not ADA-approved, make sure it says “fluoride” and/or “anti-cavity on the label.
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it → approve → label
SLS is a common ingredient added to toothpaste to make it foamy, says Dr. Breno Reboucas, a clinical associate professor and the director of predoctoral pediatric dentistry at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine.
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Reboucas → add → Medicine
It also helps break down and loosen food debris on the surface of teeth.
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It → help → teeth
Some people are sensitive to SLS, so if you know your child is or are worried about it, choose a SLS-free toothpaste and talk to your dentist.
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child → know → dentist
Kids’ taste buds are generally more sensitive than adults’, so toothpaste typically comes in fruity flavors rather than minty ones.
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toothpaste → come → ones
“Kids often say mint toothpaste tastes spicy, and to them, it really does,” says Creaven.
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Creaven → say → them
It might take some trial-and-error to find a flavor your child likes, so listen to their preferences.
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child → take → preferences
ADA-approved toothpastes don’t have flavoring agents that can cause or contribute to tooth decay, like sugar — if you’re buying a toothpaste that’s not ADA-approved, read the label closely and try to avoid ingredients like artificial dyes and sugars.
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that → approve → dyes
…and 57 more, not listed.
The Aporia
