How to Choose your Child’s Toothpaste: Recommended Fluoride Care by Age

“There are too many types of children’s toothpaste to choose from…” “When should I start using fluoride?”

Have you ever experienced such concerns in the children’s dental care aisle?

Care to protect your child’s precious teeth from cavities can actually start from the day the first tooth appears. The key is to choose based on the **”fluoride concentration” and “ease of use”** that match your child’s developmental stage.

This time, using the popular [Check-Up] series, which we also carry at our clinic, as an example, we will introduce recommended products and brushing tips by age.

[Ages 0-2] When teeth start to appear… Start with gel!

At this stage, children are not yet good at rinsing. Therefore, a gel type that is safe to swallow and has low foaming is essential.

• Recommended: Check-Up Gel (Banana Flavor / Fluoride Concentration 500ppmF)
• Point: Made with ingredients also used in food, it is ideal for finishing brushing.

 

◆ Tips for Use

• The amount to put on the toothbrush should be about the size of a grain of rice.
• Lay your child on their back and gently care for them with “lay-down brushing” where you can see inside their mouth well.
• If your child dislikes the toothbrush, even wiping the surface of the teeth with a clean gauze can be effective.

 

[Ages 3-5] Nurture the Desire to “Do it Myself!” with Toothbrushing Habits

At this stage, when children can rinse and want to do everything themselves, it is most important for them to feel that “brushing teeth is fun.”

• Recommended: Check-Up Kodomo (Grape Flavor / Fluoride Concentration 950ppmF *)
• Point: With flavors popular among children, it helps turn daily brushing time into a fun habit.

*As of January 2023, the recommended fluoride concentration for toothpaste for children under 6 has been revised.

◆ Tips for Use

• The amount to use should be about the size of a **pea (approximately 5mm)**.
• After your child brushes on their own, be sure to have a guardian perform “finishing brushing.”
• By praising them with “You brushed well!”, you can motivate your child.

 

[Ages 6 and up] A crucial time to protect permanent teeth! Step up the fluoride concentration

At this stage, when adult teeth (permanent teeth) start to appear, the teeth are still weak and most susceptible to cavities. Increase the fluoride concentration slightly to protect the teeth thoroughly.

• Recommended: Check-Up Gel (Peach Flavor / Fluoride Concentration 950ppmF)
• Point: With low foaming, the gel type is easy to spread thoroughly and is especially recommended for caring for newly erupted permanent teeth.

 

◆ Tips for Use

• Use about half to two-thirds of the toothbrush (approximately 1cm) as a guide.
• Especially before bedtime, when the risk of cavities increases, focus on brushing each tooth carefully.
• After brushing, instead of rinsing with a lot of water, just rinse lightly once. This leaves more fluoride in the mouth, enhancing its effectiveness.

 

Advice from the Director: Tips for Choosing Toothpaste and Care

✔︎ Always choose a fluoride concentration appropriate for the age.
✔︎ It is safe to choose products that are non-abrasive or low-abrasive to avoid damaging the teeth.
✔︎ Support enjoyable habits with flavors or characters your child likes for fun habit formation.

And most importantly, “finishing brushing” by a guardian is crucial. To prevent missed spots, until the upper grades of elementary school (around age 10), an adult should always check and finish the brushing. Please cherish this time as a moment of parent-child bonding.

At our clinic, we assist in selecting the optimal toothpaste tailored to each child’s developmental stage and oral condition. If you are unsure about product selection or care methods, please feel free to consult our staff.