Top 5 Best Kids Toothpaste
Dentist Tested and Reviewed | Time to Read: 12 mins
Updated: September 1, 2022
By: Dr. Advocate
Many habits are developed early in life and continue into adulthood. Brushing your teeth is one of them, and if it’s not maintained, it can lead to tooth decay and oral pain. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth with toothpaste twice daily to remove plaque and bacteria. If left untreated, biofilm can lead to gum disease and dental decay. In addition, fluoride toothpaste is recommended to provide extra protection against cavities, making teeth stronger.
Healthy Tips for Kids
- Limit frequency of sugar intake
- Brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste
- Visit your dentist every six months
- Use a mouthguard during contact sports
- Use a straw when consuming sugary beverages
- Floss between teeth when contacts close
Should children use fluoride? According to the ADA, parents and caregivers should brush children’s teeth using a smear of fluoride toothpaste, no more than the size of a grain of rice, for children younger than three years. For children 3 to 6 years of age, parents, and caregivers should dispense no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
We understand that some people may not be comfortable using fluoride toothpaste for their kids, so Burt’s Bees Kids Fluoride-Free Toothpaste was also tested. Let’s take a closer look at the best kids’ toothpaste from a dentist’s perspective.
Tested and Reviewed
Evaluation Criteria
We highlight each product's unique, advertised benefits, identify their pros and cons and score each from 1 to 5 based on four categories. The toothpaste with the highest score is crowned the overall champion; however, we’ll also give suggested patient benefits for each product. Price’s listed are subject to change and discussed in each review, however they were not considered within the scoring criteria.
- Effectiveness: Does the toothpaste treat the advertised need? How effective were the results?
- Comfort: Was the toothpaste comfortable and enjoyable to use? Was there any burning, stinging or uncomfortable sensation?
- Taste: How was the overall taste? Was it refreshing? Did it alter your sense of taste?
- Likeability: How likeable is it for kids? Will they look forward to using the toothpaste when brushing?
Orajel Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste
Orajel is a trusted brand to manage pain relief and oral care solutions for young adults and children. They offer many products, including a full line of teething gel, sore mouth relief, toothpaste, and denture pain relief. Orajel is well-known for its mouth and canker sore pain relief gel. This Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste from Orajel cleans and provides adequate cavity protection with a great-tasting formula. They’ve partnered with Nickelodeon to showcase the popular TV series Paw Patrol on this product. Let’s take a closer look.
Highlights
- $2.50 per tube (4.2 oz)
- Great tasting formula
- Sodium fluoride 0.24%
- Bubble berry flavor
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Taste: ⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 17/20
Directions
- Adults and children 2 and older
- Brush teeth thoroughly at least twice a day
- Use as directed
Pros
The bubble berry flavor is enjoyable, pain-free, and comfortable to use. It’s a great alternative if your child doesn’t like the more common bubblegum flavor. Also, it contains fluoride for cavity protection, and there is minimal foaming during use.
Cons
After rinsing, the flavor was quickly eliminated, and there was minimal freshness. We would have expected a longer lasting, refreshing taste.
Best for kids that don’t like bubblegum flavor.
Crest Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste
Crest is a leader in the oral health care community combining years of research with product development. Crest Whitestrips is their most desired product; however, they’re also known for their innovative toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss. In addition, crest has partnered with Disney to feature Raya and The Last Dragon as the cover art to interest kids. Let’s take a closer look at this kids fluoride toothpaste to see how it stacks up with its competitors.
Highlights
- $2.50 per tube (4.2 oz)
- Bubblegum flavor
- Sodium fluoride 0.243%
- Recommended for 3+ years old
- Kid-tested mild gel formula
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Taste: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 20/20
Directions
- Adults and children 2 years and older
- Brush teeth thoroughly twice a day
- Do not swallow
- Use pea-sized amount in children under 6 years old
- Ask a dentist for children under 2 years old
Pros
Crest did an excellent job creating a fun bubblegum flavor while providing refreshing breath after rinsing. There was slight foaming, and kids will not have to worry about any stinging or burning sensation. Fluoride also provides the added benefit of limiting tooth decay.
Cons
It contains sodium lauryl sulfate that may irritate sensitive gums.
Best for kids that enjoy bubblegum flavor and Disney.
Aquafresh Kids Fluoride Toothpaste
Aquafresh is known for its multicolored toothpaste and its unique toothpaste dispenser. The colorful red, white and blue toothpaste draws kids in to hopefully enjoy brushing. Fluoride is included in all their products except for their fluoride-free training toothpaste, recommended for 3-24 months. Let’s take a closer look at this kid's fluoride toothpaste.
Highlights
- $6.99 per tube (4.6 oz)
- ADA Accepted
- Fluoride anticavity toothpaste
- Bubble mint flavor
- Recommended for 2+ years old
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Taste: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 19/20
Directions
- Apply paste onto toothbrush
- Use twice daily or no more than three times a day
- Minimize swallowing
Pros
This Aquafresh product was flavorful and comfortable to use. The bubble mint flavor was gentle and less spicy than adult mint toothpaste. The added benefit of fluoride is great for kids. The teeth felt clean and fresh after use, and there was adequate foaming to cover all surfaces. Lastly, this product is ADA accepted, the highest endorsement for oral care products.
Cons
The flavor was enjoyable; however, it quickly dissipated after rinsing. We also realize that this may be a pro for some children.
Best for kids that enjoy gentle mint toothpaste.
Colgate Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste
Colgate seeks to develop products that promote healthy smiles. They’ve been in the oral health care industry for over 145 years and offer a range of oral care products. Sustainability is also important to them as they recently created a first-of-its-kind recyclable toothpaste tube. Lastly, they strive to be an accessible company that offers many educational resources to the public and dental professionals. Colgate has partnered with Universal Studios and the movie Minions to showcase this product. Let’s take a closer look at this kid's fluoride toothpaste.
30% Off Code: XE994G
Highlights
- $2.99 per tube (4.6 oz)
- Sodium fluoride 0.24%
- ADA accepted
- Mild bubble fruit flavor
- Clinically proven
- Cavity protection
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Taste: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 19/20
Directions
- Adults and children 2 years and older
- Brush teeth thoroughly
- Brush twice a day
- Children 2-6 use a pea-sized amount
Pros
This product was comfortable and gentle on the teeth and gums. There was moderate foaming to bathe the entire mouth, and the fruit flavor was unique compared to the others. This product is ADA accepted and has fluoride to prevent cavities.
Cons
The fruit flavor was enjoyable; however, some children may desire mild mint or bubblegum flavor.
Best for kids that enjoy fruit flavor and Minions.
Burt’s Bees Kids Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
Burt’s Bees was founded in the early 1980s by Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby. They desired a low-impact, socially and environmentally conscious lifestyle. Their first products were candles and lip balm made from beeswax from Burt’s bee hives. After Roxanne sold her stake in the company, they began formulating other products for oral care. Today, Burt has since passed, but his tradition lives on. Let’s take a closer look at this fluoride-free toothpaste.
Highlights
- $2.50 per tube (4.2 oz)
- Fluoride-free toothpaste
- Fruit fusion flavor
- Dye free
- Gentle cleansing
- No sodium lauryl sulfate
- No artificial sweeteners
Results
Effectiveness: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Comfort: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Taste: ⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
Likeability: ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Total: 16/20
Directions
- Adults and children 2 years and older
- Brush teeth thoroughly after meals
- Brush twice a day
- Do not swallow
Pros
Burt’s Bees formulated a comfortable and gentle fluoride-free toothpaste. It was refreshing, and the flavor lasted long after rinsing.
Cons
There was no foaming during use which may prevent the paste from reaching all areas in the mouth. Also, we recommend fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay, however, we also understand not every parent wants fluoride in their child’s toothpaste. Lastly, the fruit flavor was not as fruity as we were hoping.
Best for parents and children that doesn’t want fluoride in toothpaste.
Overall Champion: Crest Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste*
Crest has dominated the oral care space and continues to produce effective products. This kid’s fluoride anticavity toothpaste excelled in all four categories and received a perfect score. Children will love this toothpaste. Burt’s Bee is the best alternative if fluoride-free kid’s toothpaste is desired.
Final Rankings
- Crest Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste 20/20
- Colgate Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste 19/20
- Aquafresh Kids Fluoride Toothpaste 19/20
- Orajel Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste 17/20
- Burt’s Bees Kid Fluoride-Free Toothpaste 16/20
* My Dental Advocate product reviews are based on individual experience and your results with the products may vary.
About the Author
Dr. Advocate is an actual board-certified dentist with clinical practice experience and a mission to provide accurate dental patient education. He believes everyone should access easy-to-read dental resources presented in layman’s terms with relevant, up-to-date dental research and insight to improve their oral health.
Top 5 Best Kids Toothpaste
Dentist Tested and Reviewed
Time to Read: 12 mins
Updated: September 1, 2022
By: Dr. Advocate
Many habits are developed early in life and continue into adulthood. Brushing your teeth is one of them, and if it’s not maintained, it can lead to tooth decay and oral pain. The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth with toothpaste twice daily to remove plaque and bacteria. If left untreated, biofilm can lead to gum disease and dental decay. In addition, fluoride toothpaste is recommended to provide extra protection against cavities, making teeth stronger.
Healthy Tips for Kids
- Limit frequency of sugar intake
- Brush twice a day using fluoride toothpaste
- Visit your dentist every 6 months
- Use a mouthguard during contact sports
- Use straw when consuming sugary beverages
- Floss between teeth when contacts close
Should children use fluoride? According to the ADA, parents and caregivers should brush children’s teeth using a smear of fluoride toothpaste, no more than the size of a grain of rice, for children younger than three years. For children 3 to 6 years of age, parents, and caregivers should dispense no more than a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
We understand that some people may not be comfortable using fluoride toothpaste for their kids, so Burt’s Bees Kids Fluoride-Free Toothpaste was also tested. Let’s take a closer look at the best kids’ toothpaste from a dentist’s perspective.
Tested and Reviewed
Evaluation Criteria
We highlight each product's unique, advertised benefits, identify their pros and cons and score each from 1 to 5 based on four categories. The toothpaste with the highest score is crowned the overall champion; however, we’ll also give suggested patient benefits for each product. Price’s listed are subject to change and discussed in each review, however they were not considered within the scoring criteria.
- Effectiveness: Does the toothpaste treat the advertised need? How effective were the results?
- Comfort: Was the toothpaste comfortable and enjoyable to use? Was there any burning, stinging or uncomfortable sensation?
- Taste: How was the overall taste? Was it refreshing? Did it alter your sense of taste?
- Likeability: How likeable is it for kids? Will they look forward to using the toothpaste when brushing?
Orajel Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste
Orajel is a trusted brand to manage pain relief and oral care solutions for young adults and children. They offer many products, including a full line of teething gel, sore mouth relief, toothpaste, and denture pain relief. Orajel is well-known for its mouth and canker sore pain relief gel. This Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste from Orajel cleans and provides adequate cavity protection with a great-tasting formula. They’ve partnered with Nickelodeon to showcase the popular TV series Paw Patrol on this product. Let’s take a closer look.
Highlights
- $2.50 per tube (4.2 oz)
- Great tasting formula
- Sodium fluoride 0.24%
- Bubble berry flavor
Pros
The bubble berry flavor is enjoyable, pain-free, and comfortable to use. It’s a great alternative if your child doesn’t like the more common bubblegum flavor. Also, it contains fluoride for cavity protection, and there is minimal foaming during use.
Cons
After rinsing, the flavor was quickly eliminated, and there was minimal freshness. We would have expected a longer lasting, refreshing taste.
Directions
- Adults and children 2 and older
- Brush teeth thoroughly at least twice a day
- Use as directed
Results
Effectiveness:
Comfort:
Taste:
Likeability:
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 17/20
Best for kids that don’t like bubblegum flavor.
Crest Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste
Crest is a leader in the oral health care community combining years of research with product development. Crest Whitestrips is their most desired product; however, they’re also known for their innovative toothpaste, mouthwash, and floss. In addition, crest has partnered with Disney to feature Raya and The Last Dragon as the cover art to interest kids. Let’s take a closer look at this kids fluoride toothpaste to see how it stacks up with its competitors.
Highlights
- $2.50 per tube (4.2 oz)
- Bubblegum flavor
- Sodium fluoride 0.243%
- Recommended for 3+ years old
- Kid-tested mild gel formula
Pros
Crest did an excellent job creating a fun bubblegum flavor while providing refreshing breath after rinsing. There was slight foaming, and kids will not have to worry about any stinging or burning sensation. Fluoride also provides the added benefit of limiting tooth decay.
Cons
It contains sodium lauryl sulfate that may irritate sensitive gums.
Directions
- Adults and children 2 years and older
- Brush teeth thoroughly twice a day
- Do not swallow
- Use pea-sized amount in children under 6 years old
- Ask a dentist for children under 2 years old
Results
Effectiveness:
Comfort:
Taste:
Likeability:
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 20/20
Best for kids that enjoy bubblegum flavor and Disney.
Aquafresh Kids Fluoride Toothpaste
Aquafresh is known for its multicolored toothpaste and its unique toothpaste dispenser. The colorful red, white and blue toothpaste draws kids in to hopefully enjoy brushing. Fluoride is included in all their products except for their fluoride-free training toothpaste, recommended for 3-24 months. Let’s take a closer look at this kid's fluoride toothpaste.
Highlights
- $6.99 per tube (4.6 oz)
- ADA Accepted
- Fluoride anticavity toothpaste
- Bubble mint flavor
- Recommended for 2+ years old
Pros
This Aquafresh product was flavorful and comfortable to use. The bubble mint flavor was gentle and less spicy than adult mint toothpaste. The added benefit of fluoride is great for kids. The teeth felt clean and fresh after use, and there was adequate foaming to cover all surfaces. Lastly, this product is ADA accepted, the highest endorsement for oral care products.
Cons
The flavor was enjoyable; however, it quickly dissipated after rinsing. We also realize that this may be a pro for some children.
Directions
- Apply paste onto toothbrush
- Use twice daily or no more than three times a day
- Minimize swallowing
Results
Effectiveness:
Comfort:
Taste:
Likeability:
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 19/20
Best for kids that enjoy gentle mint toothpaste.
Colgate Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste
Colgate seeks to develop products that promote healthy smiles. They’ve been in the oral health care industry for over 145 years and offer a range of oral care products. Sustainability is also important to them as they recently created a first-of-its-kind recyclable toothpaste tube. Lastly, they strive to be an accessible company that offers many educational resources to the public and dental professionals. Colgate has partnered with Universal Studios and the movie Minions to showcase this product. Let’s take a closer look at this kid's fluoride toothpaste.
Highlights
- $2.99 per tube (4.6 oz)
- Sodium fluoride 0.24%
- ADA accepted
- Mild bubble fruit flavor
- Clinically proven
- Cavity protection
Pros
This product was comfortable and gentle on the teeth and gums. There was moderate foaming to bathe the entire mouth, and the fruit flavor was unique compared to the others. This product is ADA accepted and has fluoride to prevent cavities.
Cons
The fruit flavor was enjoyable; however, some children may desire mild mint or bubblegum flavor.
Directions
- Adults and children 2 years and older
- Brush teeth thoroughly
- Brush twice a day
- Children 2-6 use a pea-sized amount
Results
Effectiveness:
Comfort:
Taste:
Likeability:
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
Total: 19/20
Best for kids that enjoy fruit flavor and Minions.
30% Off Code: XE994G
Burt’s Bees Kids Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
Burt’s Bees was founded in the early 1980s by Burt Shavitz and Roxanne Quimby. They desired a low-impact, socially and environmentally conscious lifestyle. Their first products were candles and lip balm made from beeswax from Burt’s bee hives. After Roxanne sold her stake in the company, they began formulating other products for oral care. Today, Burt has since passed, but his tradition lives on. Let’s take a closer look at this fluoride-free toothpaste.
Highlights
- $2.50 per tube (4.2 oz)
- Fluoride-free toothpaste
- Fruit fusion flavor
- Dye free
- Gentle cleansing
- No sodium lauryl sulfate
- No artificial sweeteners
Pros
Burt’s Bees formulated a comfortable and gentle fluoride-free toothpaste. It was refreshing, and the flavor lasted long after rinsing.
Cons
There was no foaming during use which may prevent the paste from reaching all areas in the mouth. Also, we recommend fluoride toothpaste to prevent tooth decay, however, we also understand not every parent wants fluoride in their child’s toothpaste. Lastly, the fruit flavor was not as fruity as we were hoping.
Directions
- Adults and children 2 years and older
- Brush teeth thoroughly after meals
- Brush twice a day
- Do not swallow
Results
Effectiveness:
Comfort:
Taste:
Likeability:
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
⭑⭑⭑⭒⭒
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒
Total: 16/20
Best for parents and children that doesn’t want fluoride in toothpaste.
Overall Champion:
Crest Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste*
Crest has dominated the oral care space and continues to produce effective products. This kid’s fluoride anticavity toothpaste excelled in all four categories and received a perfect score. Children will love this toothpaste. Burt’s Bee is the best alternative if fluoride-free kid’s toothpaste is desired.
Final Rankings
- Crest Fluoride Anticavity Toothpaste 20/20
- Colgate Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste 19/20
- Aquafresh Kids Fluoride Toothpaste 19/20
- Orajel Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste 17/20
- Burt’s Bees Kid Fluoride-Free Toothpaste 16/20
* My Dental Advocate product reviews are based on individual experience and your results with the products may vary.
About the Author
Dr. Advocate is an actual board-certified dentist with clinical practice experience and a mission to provide accurate dental patient education. He believes everyone should access easy-to-read dental resources presented in layman’s terms with relevant, up-to-date dental research and insight to improve their oral health.
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Related Product Reviews
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Toothbrushes have greatly evolved over the years from a simple toothbrush with uniform bristles to even a rechargeable one that pairs with your phone.
Best Dental Floss
The ADA recommends flossing daily to minimize bacteria and maintain oral health. It’s an easy and beneficial habit, so why do so many people neglect to floss? It could be because...
Whitening Mouthwash
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