There are lots of reasons why you might want to ditch the Crest or those sugary, children’s toothpastes that you find at the grocery store and go with a more natural option. For me this is clear whenever I see my three year old daughter brushing her teeth for the…oh I don’t know…eleventh or twelve time in a day. :)
Luckily, there are some great options out there in the natural toothpaste department. The options are not as great though for children’s toothpastes (aka toothpastes they will actually use) but here are a few to ponder:
Tom’s of Maine Fluoride Free Children’s Toothpaste – Natural fruit extracts provide flavor; fluoride free so you don’t have to worry if more ends up in your child’s tummy than in the sink. No artificial ingredients. No animal testing.
Children’s Zinc Plus Herbal Toothpaste – Does Not Contain: Artificial Sweeteners, Dyes, Chemical Preservatives.
Weleda Toothpaste, Children’s Tooth Gel – Gently Cleans Baby Teeth. Safe to Swallow, Pleasant Taste, Fluoride-Free.
Aha! I knew I had read about some good toothpaste for my daughter and my family here in your blog! Thank you! I have decided to ditch the mainstream as I was told yesterday by my new dental hygienist NOT to use Colgate as it has been under fire for having triclosan! Here I was NOT using antibacterial soap because of that same ingredient and because we are too “clean” and now I find it is in the toothpaste? She suggested Crest, but its ingredients are not all that different. Thank you so much for your suggestions, they help us newbies out!
Yep, natural options are always the best choice. Who needs all those toxic chemicals that you find in regular brands of toothpaste? Natural toothpaste is so much safer. The only problem with natural toothpaste is that it contains glycerin. Glycerin is a natural ingredient, but it does tend to coat the teeth which prevents them from getting re-mineralized. That could be a problem for anyone who’s prone to cavities. Some other options are homemade toothpaste, natural tooth powders, and tooth soap (either a bar of soap or a commercial brand in a child friendly flavor).
Nice blog, BTW!