Best Toothpaste for Kids 2024

As a dentist (and a dad), I know getting kids to brush their teeth can be a challenge. However, picking the best toothpaste for kids can not only strengthen their teeth, but also help them enjoy the process.

A good toothpaste for kids should have a mild flavour for their sensitive tastebuds, but also have fluoride which helps prevent tooth decay. It should be easy and fun to use so your kids actually look forward to brushing!

With many products available, it’s hard to pick the best toothpaste for your child. This simple guide will help you find the most effective toothpastes for different age ranges.

Overall the Aquafresh Milk Teeth Baby Toothpaste is the best toothpaste for children under 2 years of age.

The Punch & Judy Kids Toothpaste is best for kids aged 3-6 years. These have a playful design, taste good without being overwhelming, and contain the right amount of fluoride and other ingredients which will help keep their teeth nice and strong.

The best toothpaste for 7+ years is Colgate Total Toothpaste for kids, a great all rounder for when their adult teeth start coming through.

But why the distinction in age. It’s all about fluoride levels. Read on to find out more. 

Fluoride? Definitely. But how much Fluoride?

Depending on their age, recommended fluoride levels differ. Below are the NHS Guidelines for children’s toothpastes:

• Children under 3 years old should brush twice daily, with a smear of toothpaste containing at least 1,000ppm fluoride.
• Children between 3 and 6 years old should brush at least twice daily with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing more than 1,000ppm fluoride.
• Children over 7 and adults should brush at least twice daily with a toothpaste containing 1,350-1,500ppm fluoride.

Our Top Picks

Best toothpaste for kids under 2 – Aquafresh Baby Toothpaste, Milk Teeth / Jack N’ Jill Kids Natural Toothpaste

Best toothpaste for kids 3-6 years – Punch & Judy Kids Toothpaste

Best toothpaste for kids 7+ years – Colgate Total Toothpaste for kids

Best toothpaste for kids who don’t like mint – Aquafresh Kids Splash Strawberry Toothpaste

Best flavour-free toothpaste for kids – Oranurse Unflavoured Toothpaste for Kids

Best toothpaste for kids who have cavities – Colgate Duraphat 2800ppm Fluoride (Dentist Prescribed)

Best toothpaste for kids with sensitive teeth – Sensodyne Pronamel Enamel Care Kids

Best toothpaste for kids under 2

Aquafresh Baby Toothpaste, Milk Teeth

Why our dentists recommend this toothpaste:

Finding your baby’s first toothpaste can be a difficult. Adult toothpaste is not suitable as it has a strong mint flavour and has too much fluoride, so you can’t share your toothpaste with your baby.

Aquafresh milk teeth was my go to toothpaste when my children were born. There’s no confusion as it says 0-2 years on the packaging, although it can be used in larger (pea-sized) amounts up until your child is six. Remember for babies you only want to use a smear of paste on a small headed brush. (See my advice on the best baby toothbrush).

Aquafresh is a trusted brand, and makes specific toothpastes for different ages.

Don’t worry if you can’t brush your child’s teeth well due to poor compliance, as even a little bit of toothpaste getting onto their new teeth will strengthen the surface enamel and help prevent decay.

Pros: Excellent cavity protection

Cons: If your child doesn’t like mint they may find it a little strong/spicy

Also consider: Jack N’ Jill Kids Natural Toothpaste (No Fluoride). If you find that you baby is swallowing the toothpaste, and you want to mitigate the risk of fluoride ingestion, in this age range you may consider using a fluoride free toothpaste. This comes in many flavours including strawberry and banana. It uses xylitol as the active ingredient which prevents plaque sticking to the tooth surface.

Best toothpaste for kids 3-6 years

Punch & Judy Kids Toothpaste

Why our dentists recommend this toothpaste:

Punch and Judy have made a wide range of toothpastes for kids, in a variety of fun flavours. The design with the crocodile is great to help kids feel more excited about brushing. The toothpastes have all the right amounts of fluoride.

They have a multipack of three different flavours to try so you can see which your child prefers. Just make sure your kids don’t love the flavours so much that they end up swallowing it.

Pros: Fun, great tasting flavours, good cavity protection 

Cons: More expensive than others, but will be worth for your child to engage at brushing time

Best toothpaste for kids 7+ years

Colgate total for kids

Why our dentists recommend this toothpaste:

Colgate is another highly dentist recommended dental brand. Their offering for children in this age range not only provides the right amount of fluoride but also contains antibacterial ingredients which reduce bugs around teeth and gums after 4 weeks of use.

By now your children should have perfected their brushing technique and can be trusted to use a higher fluoride toothpaste without supervision.

Pros: Mild flavour, Good protection, Good value for money

Cons: Packaging is more mature in style

Best toothpaste for kids who don’t like mint

Aquafresh Kids Splash Strawberry Toothpaste

Why our dentists recommend this toothpaste:

I wasn’t aware of how much some kids hated mint until I experienced it with my own son. When he was ready to move up from an under 2 toothpaste, to a 3+ I bought him a mint toothpaste. He found using it very ‘spicy’ and longed for his old strawberry toothpaste back. The Aquafresh splash is what we switched to and he’s been using it ever since.

I was glad I could still get the right fluoride levels for strong teeth, in a flavour he loved.

Avoid the Jack and Jill range for older kids as its fluoride free, but the Punch and Judy range can also work.

Pros: Strawberry Flavour, wide age range, excellent cavity protection.

Cons: Doesn’t freshen breath as much as a mint toothpaste would.

Best Unflavoured Toothpaste for kids

Oranurse Unflavoured Toothpaste for Kids

Why our dentists recommend this toothpaste:

Often used by children with sensory processing difficulties, an unflavoured toothpaste might be the way to go if your child expresses that they don’t like the feel or taste of ordinary mint toothpaste. This one also foams less, but still provides adequate fluoride supply to keep teeth strong. The box has also has a crocodile to help make them feel more excited about the process.

Pros: Unflavoured. Right amount of Fluoride. SLS-Free

Cons: Cost

Best Toothpaste for kids who have cavities

HIGH FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE PRESCRIBED 2800ppm for children over 8

Why our dentists recommend this toothpaste:

NB: THIS TOOTHPASTE IS NOT AVAILABLE OVER THE COUNTER. IT HAS TO BE PRESCRIBED BY A DENTIST.

If your child has tooth decay rate or cavities and is over the age of 8, a dentist may prescribe Colgate Duraphat 2800ppm Toothpaste. This has double the normal amount of fluoride, and helps prevent further dental decay by strengthening the minerals in enamel.

You should take your child for a dental check up at least every 6 months in order to maintain healthy teeth and gums, and check for any potential issue.

Pros: Strong, effective protection

Cons: Can only be prescribed by a dentist of suitable for your child’s needs. Should not be swallowed.

Best toothpaste for kids with sensitive teeth

Sensodyne Pronamel Enamel Care Kids

Eating acidic fruits and drinking carbonated beverages can weaken and thin enamel. This can lead to sensitivity as the nerves are more exposed to attack thought the dentine.

This toothpaste help by remineralising the enamel, but also is much less abrasive than normal toothpaste so helps protect enamel. 

Pros: Good for sensitive teeth, Cost effective, clinically proven

Cons: No different flavours

Buying guide – What to look for?

When picking the best toothpaste for kids, there are certain features and ingredients you should look for.

Age appropriate Fluoride levels

Suitable toothpaste is essentially broken up into 3 main categories:

• No fluoride – Should on be used by children under 2 or those toddlers that are prone to swallowing toothpaste.
• 1000ppm Fluoride – Should be used for children under 6.
• 1450ppm Fluoride – Should be used by children over the age of 6.

Design

Anything that helps to engage with the activity and encourage children to develop good oral hygiene habits always helps. You can now get toothpastes with great kid friendly designs. So whether your kid is into dinosaurs, mermaids, or unicorn, there will be something out there for them.

Flavour

Gone are the days of mint toothpaste or nothing. There are so many different fruity flavours out there. The flavours I came across were banana, strawberry, melon, watermelon, bubblegum, berries and cream, blueberry, blackcurrant and raspberry.

Some of these are in the Jack and Jill Range of children’s toothpastes which don’t contain fluoride therefore a balance needs to be struck between needs and preferences. The Punch and Judy range of toothpastes don’t have as many exotic flavours but do contain fluoride.

There is also some unflavoured toothpaste available for children with heightened sensory needs. These usually contain fluoride.

Ingredients

Fluoride

It’s best to use f- toothpaste as soon as is appropriate, as it helps to strengthen teeth enamel and prevent cavities. As long as you use the recommended dosage there will be no detriment to your child’s well being. You may use fluoride free for under 2 who may swallow the toothpaste.

Ideally for a child aged 3-6, 10000 ppm of Fluoride, switching to 1450ppm Fluoride when 6 years old (as per Delivering better oral health: an evidence-based toolkit for prevention).

SLS free

Sodium Laurel Sulphate is a frothing agent found in cosmetics that kids can be allergic to, so if you find irritation or soreness on the lips or cheeks following brushing, then go for an SLS-free toothpaste such as Oranurse Unflavoured, or Sensodyne Pronamel for Kids.

Natural?

What natural is not directly defined when it comes to toothpaste. It may have less preservatives or, sometimes it also means it’s also free of fluoride which isn’t ideal.

Hydroxyapitite (HAP)

Mineral contained in some toothpastes, which is used as an anti-cavity ingredient. It can help to remineralise the tooth structure.

Xylitol

Makes the tooth surface less sticky by providing a protective barrier. This prevents plaque, foods and drinks from adhering to the tooth surface, hence reducing the chance of tooth decay.

NOT WHITENING OR CHARCOAL

Whitening and charcoal toothpastes work by causing higher abrasion to the tooth surface. The ingredients which help stain removal in adult teeth are too coarse for baby teeth. They will wear down the thin softer enamel, leading to yellower and more sensitive teeth. Thy should be avoided for kids.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I start brushing my child’s teeth?

It is recommended to start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as their first tooth erupts. This usually occurs around six months of age. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a smear of fluoride toothpaste, too clean as best you can. They may not cooperate well but even a little brush will help remove plaque and allow ingredients in the toothpaste to work on the teeth. 

Do babies need special toothpaste?

Yes, babies should use a specially formulated infant toothpaste that is fluoride-free or has a minimal amount of fluoride. This is important because young children may swallow toothpaste, and excessive fluoride ingestion can lead to dental fluorosis.

Should I use fluoride?

Fluoride is essential for preventing tooth decay, but the amount used should be age-appropriate. For infants and toddlers, choose a toothpaste with low fluoride content or use fluoride-free options. As your child grows, you can transition to a toothpaste with higher fluoride levels.

How do I clean my baby’s teeth?

Clean your baby’s teeth using a soft-bristled toothbrush and an age-appropriate toothpaste. Gently brush their teeth in circular motions, paying attention to the front and back of each tooth. Establish a routine, ideally brushing twice a day, and make it a positive and enjoyable experience for your child.

Is there a difference between kids and adults toothpaste?

Yes, there is a difference between toothpaste designed for kids and adults. Children’s toothpaste often has lower fluoride concentrations and is available in child-friendly flavours to encourage regular brushing. It’s crucial to use age-appropriate toothpaste to address the specific needs and preferences of children.

Our Verdict

Overall picking the right toothpaste for your child can provide great health benefits, and also help make brushing time fun. Together with regular dental check ups, this can dental prevent problems for your child, and instil a lifetime of good habits.

Using Aquafresh Milk Teeth Baby Toothpaste (under 2) Punch & Judy Kids Toothpaste (aged 3-6 years) and Colgate Total Toothpaste for kids (7+) will get them off to a great start in a lifetime of good oral health.