The 10 Best Kids' Toothpaste Brands for 2021

As any parent can attest, brushing a child’s teeth is no easy task.

There’s the risk that your child might swallow toothpaste. Or that your child might not be brushing enough to ward off those painful tooth decays.

So how do you find peace of mind and also help your child find the best way to protect their milky white teeth? One of the easiest and most effective ways is to use special toothpaste designed for children and toddlers. 

Special non-toxic and fluoride-free toothpaste is good for kids because it protects their teeth without any health risks. We’ve put together a guide on the 10 best kids’ toothpaste brands that you can buy for 2021, plus some advice on how to select the best toothpaste for your child.

How to choose the best toothpaste for kids?

Children don’t always take to brushing easily, so a toothpaste that’s fun and nutrient-dense is an excellent place to start. A good toothpaste will make brushing a habit for your child, and that’s very important for the long term.

Vitamins and minerals

Look for children’s toothpaste that contains vitamins and minerals like calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D. Right now, across the United States, more and more children are not getting enough nutrients from their meals and sedentary lifestyles.

This puts them at risk of weak teeth, bone fractures, poor eyesight, and suppressed immune systems. By having kids brush with a toothpaste that’s high in vitamins and minerals, they get a boost of vitamin supplements the first thing in the morning.

Flavor

Everyone knows how off-putting an awful toothpaste flavor can be. That’s why choosing a toothpaste that tastes good is vital to making brushing a habit for your child.

Some of the most popular toothpaste flavors chosen by kids include sweet, fruity flavors like strawberry and fun twists like bubblegum. Mild mint flavors also work well.

Natural ingredients

Find toothpastes that contain natural colors and sweeteners that are not toxic to your child and do not harm them in the long run. Natural sugar alternatives like xylitol help clean their teeth without any of the corrosive effects of sugar.

Xylitol is known to defend teeth against bacteria that cause tooth decay and weak enamels.

Ingredients to avoid in children’s toothpaste

Fluoride

Exposing young children to fluoride can increase their risk of getting fluorosis and bone-related problems. Too much fluoride causes their young teeth and bones to over-mineralize, creating white streaks on teeth or, in the most serious cases, bone fractures.

Children, especially infants and toddlers, are very likely to swallow toothpaste accidentally. This increases their risk of getting overexposed to fluoride, so it’s best to avoid the ingredient altogether.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

Sodium lauryl sulfate, commonly labeled on personal care products as SLS, is a surfactant and foaming agent that helps chemical ingredients blend together. Studies have found that SLS can irritate human skin and also penetrate it, potentially leading to accumulation in the body after extended use.

Young children should avoid using toothpaste with SLS to protect their vulnerable gums and lips from irritation.

Essential oils

Common essential oils in toothpaste, like mint, tea tree, and clove oils, are touted for their antibacterial properties. But continuous exposure to these oils can damage healthy gums and kill beneficial bacteria in your mouth.

Because your child’s gum and teeth are still growing, exposure to essential oils can make them more vulnerable to the toxic effects than adults. It’s better to choose a toothpaste without essential oils when your child is still young to minimize the risks.

Abrasives

Abrasives in toothpaste, like calcium carbonates, can lead to unnecessary gum and teeth erosion in children. These substances are designed to whiten teeth and remove plaque, but when used on baby teeth, they can chip away at the enamel and weaken teeth growth.

Look for toothpaste that doesn’t contain abrasives to help your child’s teeth grow strong. Children may play around and brush their teeth, gums, and tongue, so a non-abrasive toothpaste can help prevent small cuts and other injuries in the mouth.

How much toothpaste should kids use? When should children start using toothpaste?

The CDC recommends that children under the age of 3 should not use more than a grain-sized amount of toothpaste each time they brush. For babies under 18 months, parents can avoid using toothpaste as their teeth are still forming under the gums.

Only when children are over the age of 7 should they smear a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on their brush. By this age, children have developed a swallowing reflex that can prevent accidental ingestion of toothpaste.

Using too much toothpaste and accidentally swallowing it can lead to stomach pain and dental fluorosis in children. Excessive fluoride may discolor teeth and, in severe cases, create rough surfaces on baby teeth.

Choosing a special non-fluoride non-SLS kids toothpaste can help prevent all of these problems. We’ve put together a list below of the 10 best kids’ toothpaste brands you can get in 2021.

Top 10 best kids’ toothpaste brands for 2021

Vitaminpaste kids’ toothpaste

Vitaminpaste’s kids’ toothpaste has a delicious bubble gum flavor that children love. Packed full of vitamins D, E, B5, and B6 and calcium, children can get up to 50% of their daily supplements just from using this toothpaste every morning.

It contains no fluoride, SLS, sugar, or any other toxic ingredients and is safe if swallowed. By using Vitaminpaste kids’ toothpaste, you won’t need to worry anymore about your kids ingesting fluoride and getting fluorosis.

Burt’s Bees fluoride free kids toothpaste

Burt’s Bees fluoride free kids toothpaste is made with the best natural ingredients to aid healthy teeth growth. It has a sweet, fruity flavor and includes only natural sweeteners made from stevia.

It contains no artificial ingredients like fluoride, SLS, parabens, dyes, or microbeads, so there’s no risk of harmful toxins being ingested by your child. Burt’s Bees toothpastes are not tested on any animal and are 100% cruelty free.

Hello Oral care SLS-free fluoride-free toothpaste for kids

Hello Oral’s kids toothpaste is a watermelon flavored toothpaste that’s made with children’s sensitive teeth and gums in mind. It’s carefully formulated with non-toxic ingredients like xylitol and aloe vera to make sure that every brushing session is sweet and fun.

Using Hello Oral’s kids toothpaste helps prevent cavities, strengthen enamel, and remove plaque. It contains hydrated silica that polishes and cleans teeth and none of the harmful microbeads that are found in other toothpastes. It’s also 100% vegan and never tested on any animals (Leaping Bunny certified).

Tom's of Maine toddlers fluoride-free natural toothpaste

Tom’s of Maine’s toddlers toothpaste is an all natural, fluoride free toothpaste with a sweet fruity flavor that children love. All ingredients in their toothpaste are naturally sourced to give your child a healthy, worry-free brush everyday.

It’s specially formulated for children between the ages of 3 to 24 months old. Without any artificial ingredients and fluoride, this toothpaste is safe if swallowed by children.

Jack N' Jill natural children's toothpaste

Jack N’Jill’s organic children’s toothpaste comes in strawberry, banana, and raspberry flavors, making each brush the best time of the day for your child. It’s rich in xylitol and helps keep young teeth strong and intact.

This toothpaste contains no gluten, fluoride, or SLS, so you won’t have to worry at all about harmful toxins entering your child’s body. With exciting fruit flavors, you can be sure that your child will love making brushing a habit with Jack N’ Jill’s organic toothpaste.

NOW Solutions, Xyliwhite™ toothpaste gel for kids

NOW Solutions’ Xyliwhite™ toothpaste is a kid-tested, kid-approved toothpaste that doesn’t contain any harmful ingredients. With three tasty flavors to choose from: strawberry splash, bubble gum splash, and orange splash, your child will love brushing twice a day.

Xyliwhite does not contain gluten, fluoride, sugar, or SLS and is suitable for vegans. It derives its sweetness from xylitol, which helps strengthen teeth and prevent teeth against decay and cavities.

Orajel Elmo fluoride-free training toothpaste

Orajel’s Elmo-themed training toothpaste is not only eye-catching but also highly effective against cavities and plaque. Its delicious berry flavor will help your child build healthy brushing habits immediately.

The toothpaste uses a non-abrasive, fluoride free formula, which makes it safe for your child if they accidentally swallow the toothpaste. Orajel’s training toothpaste also does not contain any alcohol, parabens, dye, or SLS that could harm your child’s teeth and gums.

RADIUS USDA kids organic toothpaste

Radius’ USDA certified organic toothpaste is a one-of-a-kind dragon fruit-flavored formula that’s clean and natural on all fronts. Made from organic coconut oil, erythritol, and mixed herbs, this toothpaste activates the compounds in these natural ingredients to help your child’s teeth fight cavities, plaque, and bacteria.

It’s completely free from GMOs, gluten, fluoride, parabens, and synthetic foaming agents, making it one of the healthiest toothpastes on the market.

Dr. Brown's infant-to-toddler toothbrush set

Dr. Brown’s infant-to-toddler toothpaste is designed specially for babies and toddlers. With a real pear and apple flavor, this sweet fruity toothpaste is sure to make your baby love brushing.

This toothpaste contains no fluoride or any artificial preservatives and additives. It’s gentle on the gums and completely safe to swallow. For parents who want a toothpaste that’s gentle on their baby’s gums and first teeth, this is a product to try.

JASON kids only fluoride-free strawberry toothpaste

JASON’s kids toothpaste has a sweet strawberry flavor that makes brushing in the mornings and evenings fun. Without harsh abrasives and chemicals, this toothpaste uses natural ingredients and calcium carbonate to protect your child’s teeth against tartar and plaque buildup.

It’s free of fluoride, parabens, SLS, gluten, artificial coloring, and artificial sweeteners and has not been tested on animals.