Natural Toothpaste: Is it Suitable for Your Kids?

As a parent, you want what is best for your kids. Because of this, increasing numbers of parents are paying more attention to the additives which are used in foods and healthcare products consumed and used by their children and are seeking natural alternatives. If you are concerned about the additives used in toothpaste, you may be considering making homemade toothpaste using natural products. Below is a guide to the positives and negatives of allowing your child to brush their teeth using natural toothpaste.

The positives of natural toothpaste

Depending on the brand you choose, regular toothpaste can contain a high number of chemical additives. These additives are designed to add certain qualities to the toothpaste. Sodium lauryl sulphate is added to regular toothpaste in order to make it foam when it is applied to your teeth. Sodium saccharin is added to regular toothpaste to increase its sweetness and fluoride is added in order to protect and repair tooth enamel. While i small amounts these substances are harmless, some parents have concerns that they could still be harmful to their child's health.

The primary benefit of using natural toothpaste is that because it is made using ingredients such as baking soda, coconut oil and water, it does not contain any of these additives. This makes it a great choice if you are concerned about your child being exposed to additives. Natural toothpaste can also be a good choice if you child does not like the texture or taste of regular toothpaste, as natural toothpaste does not foam in the mouth and can be flavoured using oils and mint to suit the taste of your child. These customised flavours increase the chance that your child will become comfortable with their dental hygiene routine.

The negatives of natural toothpaste

While some parents consider fluoride to be a harmful substance, it is also a substance which is recommended and used by dental professionals to help to treat and protect their patient's teeth. Fluoride can help to strengthen and remineralise teeth while also preventing further decay. By switching your child's toothpaste to a natural substitute, you may be placing their teeth at increased risk of decay, particularly if you live in an area where fluoride is not added to the drinking water.

If you have any concerns about your child's dental health or how best to structure their dental hygiene routine, contact a dentist today for further help and advice.