Brushing with kids
How long should kids brush their teeth?
Two minutes, twice a day, is the ADA’s guidance for everyone. How to make two minutes feel short, and why a grown-up should still help.
Toothpaste and brushing questions
Brushing with kids
When should kids start flossing?
As soon as two teeth touch. How to floss a small child’s teeth, and the tools that make it easier.
Brushing with kids
A bedtime brushing routine that sticks
Brush last, after the final snack or drink. For toddlers and older kids, only water after; babies follow their pediatrician’s feeding advice. A simple nightly order.
Brushing with kids
Bottles, sippy cups and bedtime: what dentists suggest
Avoid putting a baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. What the ADA and AAPD suggest about bottles, sippy cups and sipping.
Ingredients
Hydroxyapatite vs. fluoride toothpaste: what the trials found
Two randomized trials compared a 10% hydroxyapatite toothpaste with a fluoride toothpaste in children and adults. Here is what they measured, what they found and what they leave open.
Brushing with kids
How to brush a toddler’s teeth (without the standoff)
Start when the first tooth comes in, brush twice a day for two minutes, and do the brushing yourself. Positions, timing and small tricks that make it easier.
Brushing with kids
When should my child first see a dentist?
By the first birthday, or within six months of the first tooth. What a first visit is usually like, and what to bring and ask.
Brushing with kids
My child swallowed toothpaste. What should I do?
Call 911 for collapse, a seizure or trouble breathing. Otherwise, in the U.S., call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. What to have ready, and how to teach spitting.
Choosing toothpaste
Kids’ toothpaste vs. adult toothpaste: can the family share?
The real differences are flavor, foam and directions. How to decide what goes in each brush, and why many families end up with two tubes.
Everyday care
Can you bring toothpaste on a plane?
Yes. TSA allows toothpaste in carry-on bags in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less. A full 3 oz tube of Tooth Wizard fits.
Everyday care
How often should you replace a toothbrush?
The ADA says every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles are frayed. Kids often need it sooner. Storage tips that help brushes last.
Brushing with kids
What to try when your child refuses to brush
If brushing has become a nightly struggle, start with what bothers your child. Is the toothpaste too minty? Does the brush feel uncomfortable? Or do they simply want to keep playing?
Choosing toothpaste
Does strawberry toothpaste contain mint?
We don’t call it either way. The Strawberry package label names no peppermint, spearmint or wintergreen oil, but it lists “Flavor” without a breakdown. If your child has to avoid mint, ask us before you order.
Brushing with kids
How much toothpaste should kids use?
Follow the directions on the toothpaste you have. Tooth Wizard’s tube directs a pea-sized amount.
Ingredients
Why doesn’t Tooth Wizard add color?
We don’t add dyes. Each paste keeps the soft natural shade of its ingredients, so it won’t be bright white, striped or bright pink.
Choosing toothpaste
How to choose fluoride-free toothpaste for kids
Is it suitable for my child’s age? Will they tolerate the flavor? Does it contain anything we are avoiding? What does it cost to keep buying?
Ingredients
What is SLS-free toothpaste?
SLS-free toothpaste does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate, a cleanser that helps toothpaste foam. Tooth Wizard uses a coconut-derived cleanser called sodium cocoyl glutamate instead.
Ingredients
What is nano-hydroxyapatite in toothpaste?
Hydroxyapatite is a calcium phosphate mineral found in tooth enamel. Tooth Wizard contains 10% nano-hydroxyapatite, a manufactured form of that mineral.
Ingredients
Why are there sweeteners in toothpaste?
Sweeteners help make toothpaste taste pleasant. Tooth Wizard contains xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol and rebaudioside A, a sweetener from stevia.
Everyday care
How does acidity affect your teeth?
pH measures how acidic or alkaline something is. If you are concerned about acid exposure and your teeth, talk with your dentist about what you drink, how often you sip, and any symptoms you notice.
Brushing with kids
Electric or manual toothbrush for kids?
Choose a brush that fits your child’s mouth and feels comfortable to use. An electric brush may appeal to them, but the sound or vibration can bother some children.
Choosing toothpaste
How to read a toothpaste ingredient label
Looking for something without SLS? Avoiding mint? Start with those names in the ingredient list, then check the directions for the person who will use it.
Everyday care
Does toothpaste expire, and how should I store it?
Check the tube and carton for an expiration date and storage instructions. If you cannot read the code or are unsure what it means, send the brand a photo.
Choosing toothpaste
What to know about fluoride-free toothpaste
If you prefer fluoride-free toothpaste, compare more than the words on the front. Look at the flavor, ingredients, directions and what the toothpaste is intended to do.
Ingredients
Why doesn't some toothpaste foam very much?
Toothpastes use different cleansers, so they can produce different amounts of foam. Tooth Wizard uses sodium cocoyl glutamate, a coconut-derived cleanser, for a soft foam.
Ingredients
What does toothpaste batch testing tell you?
A batch test reports what a lab found in a sample from a particular batch. Look for the product name and lot code first so you know whether the report matches your tube.
Brushing with kids
When can kids brush their teeth on their own?
Being able to hold a toothbrush is only the start. Children still need help reaching and cleaning every tooth. Ask your child’s dentist when they are ready to do more on their own.
Brushing with kids
How can I help my child learn to spit out toothpaste?
Show your child what you mean by “spit,” keep the instruction short, and stay with them while they brush. If they regularly swallow toothpaste or struggle to spit, ask their dentist for help.
Everyday care
Everyday habits to ask your dentist about
Sipping throughout the day, frequent snacking, brushing hard and grinding are useful habits to discuss with your dentist. Ongoing dry mouth is worth mentioning too.
Ingredients
What does remineralizing mean?
Remineralization describes minerals returning to tooth structure. You may see the word on toothpaste packaging, but the details of the product and the evidence behind the claim matter.
Choosing toothpaste
Is nano-hydroxyapatite toothpaste safe for kids?
For your child, the question is about the finished toothpaste and its directions, not just one ingredient. Bring the product label to your child’s dentist before making a change if you are unsure.
Ingredients
Why is xylitol in toothpaste?
Xylitol gives toothpaste a sweet taste. In Tooth Wizard, it is used alongside sorbitol, mannitol and rebaudioside A. Xylitol is dangerous to dogs, so keep the tube out of their reach.