Hi! My son is 5 1/2, and right now he uses the kiddie toothpaste like Colgate with Dora or whatnot on them. The package makes it seem like this kind is intended for kids between 2 and 6 years old. My son is a good brusher, and prefers to rinse his mouth out with a cup of water. I don't know if he swallows any toothpaste or not. Anyway, I was wondering how you determine when your child is ready for adult paste or if any of you with older kids still use the 2-6 kind. Oh, we don't have dental insurance, but get him checkups. So far, no cavities!
you can switch to a regular toothpaste as soon as you feel that your child can spit well and rinse without swallowing. Kiddos for taking him to the dentist, I wish all parents were that considered of there children.
I changed my 4 year old over to crest kids. He does a great job with brushing his teeth, and he wanted big boy toothpaste. The back of it says adults and children over two can use, be cautious with children 2-6 with swallowing too much. So maybe you can try taking this step. I know when we were kids we used this kind of toothpaste until we were a little older, like close to 10.
I have an 8 yr old dd and she still uses "kids" tooth paste. She is a good brusher (has to be, she has braces) and spits well but she just prefers the taste over the adult kind. She has tried ours and just didn't like the flavor as much. Both her dentist and her ortho don't think it's a big deal for her to continue with the kids version. I say, if you son likes it better then let him use it but if he don't have a preference, go ahead and switch him to what you and your dh use.
HTH
S. :-)
I let my kids decide when they like "big People" tooth paste. My 13 year old still prefers the taste of the bubble gum flavored. There is also a Colgate "Strawberry" flavored that she likes too. My son is 6 and he likes the bubble gum and the strawberry too. Aim has a berry mint that they and I enjoy. Crest has several flavors out. I think buying trial tubes helps you decided what flavor works for them.
Good luck
I heard after age 3 and they can spit it out-start with a pea sized amount! You might be able to find more info if you look on the american dental association web page.
i have a 5 1/2 year old and he does not like the adult toothpaste because it burns his mouth, you will just have to try. I do know the children's toothpaste is made for children and at age 5 they are still children. I would use children's toothpaste till he gets to about 8 to 10. they are still little and have not acquired the taste or the ability to handle the sting of adult toothpaste. but you can always try it. good luck and remember they are only little once so enjoy and dont rush the childhood.
Hi,
Why not use a natural toothpaste so you won't have to worry about it being swallowed, etc.? This one uses Xylitol as a sweetener.
http://www.shaklee.net/changinglives/product/NewConceptDe...
As long as your child is spitting out the toothpaste and not swalllowing a large amount of it, switching to 'adult' toothpaste is fine. Five years is pleantly old enough. It sounds as if he is close enough to six anyway to make the switch if he's ready.
Lucy
I use toothpaste with no floride, there has been studies of the bad effects long term with floride. I would research then make your decision.
Sounds like he could use "big people" toothpaste. But, if he's happy using the kiddie kind ... go ahead and let him use that too.
You could call the dentist and ask. They shouldnt charge just to answer a question. They should know best since they have your sons dental history.
S.
my daughter is 5 and will be 6 in april and she has been using crest kids toothpaste for some time now.
