Kids and Toothpaste
Getting your kids to brush their teeth with a natural and safe toothpaste can be challenging at times. The first you will want to do is find a natural toothpaste that your kids like. You will want to stay away from the mainstream kids toothpaste which contain chemicals like:
Alcohol – dries the tissues. Should only be used to treat certain gum conditions Artificial Sweeteners- may have health concerns according to some studies Parabens – enter the body through the skin and mouth and attach themselves to fat cells and may be linked to breast cancer Salicylates – natural or synthetic, salicylates are moving up the list of causing allergies and other problems Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) – dries the tissues, may cause outbreak of canker sores Triclosan – antibiotic. CDC reports over use of antibiotics may lead to antibiotic resistant bacteria
As you can see the ingredients are vey important to watch out for. Once you have found a natural toothpaste your kids like it is also important to get them a toothbrush that fits their mouths. It may seem obvious but a small toothbrush is best for a small mouth. Also, if your kids have sensitive teeth or gums you’ll want to pick up a soft toothbrush for them. If kids are in pain while brushing their teeth it will be hard to get them to do it. try and find a colorful and fun toothbrush for them as well.
Explain to kids that the bacteria really start to mount in their mouths after eating, so it is important to get rid of the bacteria after every meal so they don’t end up with cavities.
Try to make brushing teeth fun, tell jokes and just have a good time with it. Also praise them for using good technique. When they are done go ahead and brush their teeth again for them correctly if need be. Let them know that big kids brush their own teeth, and white teeth look good. They will only need a small amount of toothpaste on their brush, about the size of a corn kernel. This is important so they don’t get a large amount of foam in their mouths, and brushing becomes uncomfortable.
I have developed a great all natural kids toothpaste that my kids’ love; it is made by Junior Varsity Naturals. It is for kids 2 years old and up. They can even swallow this toothpaste with no concerns of dangerous chemicals. Here is the safe ingredients list:
Purified Water Baking Soda: Removes stains helps neutralize acids Xylitol: Sugar substitute which studies have shown causes a dramatic reduction in tooth decay along with arrest and even reversal of existing dental carries. This is not an artificial sweetener. Vegetable Glycerine: Derived from Vegetable oil, used to protect from drying of toothpaste. Dicalcium Phosphate: Tartar control agent, also used as a dietary supplement in food. Xanthan Gum: Thickening agent, also used as a food additive in other products. Sodium Benzoate: Preservative from sodium salt found naturally in berries.
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Good luck with getting your kids to brush regularly and practicing good oral hygiene.