We've been using fluoride toothpaste for our kiddo since he got his first tooth, and honestly, no regrets so far. Our dentist explained early on that fluoride helps strengthen enamel, especially important for little ones who might not brush perfectly yet (and let's face it, toddlers aren't exactly dental hygiene pros...). I get the appeal of fluoride-free—natural products always sound reassuring—but I've heard from friends who've switched and ended up with more cavities down the line.
Still, I do sometimes wonder about the right amount of fluoride. Like, is there a sweet spot between too little and too much? I've read about fluorosis, and while it seems rare, it's something that's crossed my mind occasionally. Curious if anyone's dentist has talked about how to balance fluoride use, especially with younger kids...?
"toddlers aren't exactly dental hygiene pros..."
Ha, tell me about it. My grandson once ate half a tube of toothpaste when my daughter turned her back for two seconds—talk about panic mode. Dentist just laughed it off, said the fluoride amount in kids' toothpaste is pretty low anyway. He did mention sticking to a pea-sized amount to avoid fluorosis, but honestly, seems you'd have to be eating tubes daily to worry much.
"Dentist just laughed it off, said the fluoride amount in kids' toothpaste is pretty low anyway."
Yeah, our dentist said something similar... still doesn't stop me from worrying though. My daughter treats toothpaste like dessert. Anyone found a flavor their kid doesn't actually want to eat?
We've had a similar issue with our son—he thinks toothpaste is candy. But honestly, switching to a minty flavor (instead of the fruity ones) seemed to help a bit. He didn't exactly hate it, but it definitely reduced the dessert factor, lol. Still, I wouldn't stress too much—like your dentist said:
"fluoride amount in kids' toothpaste is pretty low anyway."
A little swallowing here and there probably isn't a big deal. Just keep an eye on it and remind them to spit... eventually they'll get it.
Minty flavors definitely help tone down the candy vibe. Another thing that worked for us was using just a tiny smear of toothpaste instead of a full pea-sized amount—less tempting to swallow and still effective. Eventually, they do get the hang of it... patience is key.
