Once your child’s first tooth comes in, it’s time to start brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry — doing so helps prevent cavities and gum disease, and gets kids used to brushing from a young age. There is no difference between adult and kid toothpaste in terms of effectiveness, but choosing a product created specifically for children can make the experience more enjoyable for them, says Dr. Amr Moursi, a professor and chairman of pediatric dentistry at the New York University College of Dentistry. When they see a familiar cartoon character on the tube or get excited about the paste’s fruity flavor, brushing becomes something they look forward to.

“When kids take ownership of their oral health, they’re much more proactive about it,” says Dr. Lisa Creaven, a dentist and the co-founder of Made By Dentists. (Ed’s note: The inclusion of products sold by Made By Dentists in this article was made independently of Creaven.) “It’s all about establishing good habits in the long-term.”

I spoke to dentists about what to look for while shopping for kids toothpaste and rounded up a handful of options that meet their guidance. Dentists also shared tips for teaching kids how to brush their teeth in the most stress-free way possible.

Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.

All of the kids toothpastes below are made with fluoride, sugar-free, ADA-accepted, and have flavors and packaging that appeals to kids. I noted which ones are made with SLS in case you’re looking to avoid it, and noted which flavors each option comes in.

When you or your child squeeze this blue toothpaste out of its tube, you’ll see the sparkles mixed into its formula. It has a sweet flavor and screw-off cap.

To encourage kids to brush for long enough, this toothpaste changes color from blue to pink after two minutes of use. It has a flat, flip-top cap so you can stand it up.

Hello’s kids toothpaste comes in three flavors, and with this variety pack, your child can try all of them to decide which one they like best. The toothpaste is packed in colorful tubes that have flat, flip-top caps.

Some children may find dispensing toothpaste from this pump easier than squeezing it out of a standard tube. It also gives them more control over how much paste they put on their toothbrush. The packaging is bright and colorful, but its design is more subtle compared to toothpaste with cartoons on it, so older children may gravitate toward this option. The tube has a flat bottom.

The cute characters, colorful designs and many flavor options of Made By Dentists’ toothpastes are sure to make kids look forward to brushing their teeth twice a day. The toothpaste is free from artificial dyes and colors, and its tube is recyclable.

Any “Minions” fan will be happy to see their favorite characters smiling on this toothpaste’s packaging. The tube has a flat, flip-top cap so you can stand it up on counters or in cabinets.

Kids toothpastes marketed as “natural,” like this one from Burt’s Bees, tend to be free from artificial flavors, ingredients, preservatives, sweetness and colors, experts told me. Whatever causes a brand to call their toothpaste “natural” won’t impact its effectiveness, so long as it’s ADA-approved. This toothpaste has a flat, flip-top cap.

There’s not much of a difference when it comes to shopping for a kid toothpaste versus an adult toothpaste. Here are the most important factors to pay attention to.

• American Dental Association Seal of Acceptance: The ADA Seal of Acceptance is the gold standard when it comes to dental care products, says Moursi. When you see it on packaging, it means the brand submitted evidence to the organization showing that its product meets specific safety and efficacy requirements. That doesn’t mean dental care products without the ADA’s seal are ineffective — it just means the brand hasn’t submitted their products for the organization to evaluate.
• Fluoride: The ADA and the AAPD, as well as all the dentists I spoke to, recommend choosing a kids toothpaste with fluoride, a cavity-fighting ingredient that strengthens enamel. All ADA-approved toothpastes are made with fluoride — if you’re buying one that’s not ADA-approved, make sure it says “fluoride” and/or “anticavity on the label.
• Sodium lauryl sulfate: SLS is a common ingredient added to toothpaste to make it foamy, says Dr. Breno Reboucas, a clinical associate professor and the director of predoctoral pediatric dentistry at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine. It also helps break down and loosen food debris on the surface of teeth. Some people are sensitive to SLS, so if you know your child is or are worried about it, choose a SLS-free toothpaste and talk to your dentist.
• Flavor: Kids’ taste buds are generally more sensitive than adults’, so toothpaste typically comes in fruity flavors rather than minty ones. “Kids often say mint toothpaste tastes spicy, and to them, it really does,” says Creaven. It might take some trial-and-error to find a flavor your child likes, so listen to their preferences. All ADA-approved toothpastes don’t have flavoring agents that can cause or contribute to tooth decay, like sugar — if you’re buying a toothpaste that’s not ADA-approved, read the label closely and try to avoid ingredients like artificial dyes and sugars.
• Texture: Toothpaste comes in pastes, which are thicker and grittier, and gels, which are smoother and less abrasive. Like flavor, texture is a personal preference.
• Packaging: The bright colors, recognizable characters and big font on kids toothpaste is there for a reason: it makes the tube more appealing to children and encourages them to use it. If your child loves a specific cartoon or has a favorite color, try to pick a toothpaste that aligns with their interests so they’re excited about it.

To brush a baby or kid’s teeth, use a dot of toothpaste the size of a grain of rice — such a small amount may not seem like much, but there’s enough fluoride in it to prevent cavities, says Moursi. Then, around age three, you can progress to using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste around age three, says Reboucas.

Spitting is a complex action that involves a lot of muscle control and dexterity, and kids have to learn how to do it, says Creaven — some kids start spitting around 2 years old, while some may not start until 4 years old or later. Because of this, kids tend to swallow some toothpaste while brushing, so it’s important to be careful about how much they use.

Much like potty training, teaching kids how to brush their teeth is all about starting early, consistency and making it a positive experience. One of the most important things to remember as a parent? Don’t stress — teaching your kids to brush their teeth is a long-term project. “For the first few times, if you just get the brush into their mouth, that’s enough,” says Creaven. “The more positive you make the experience, the more likely they are to develop good habits that last a lifetime.”

To help kids learn how to brush their teeth and actually enjoy it, follow these tips:

1. Establish a routine: Help your child brush at the same time every morning and every night so they expect it to happen, says Creaven. Surprises can be stressful for kids, so if they know when they’ll brush, they’re more likely to approach it calmly.
2. Set a timer: Just like adults, kids ideally need to brush their teeth for two minutes twice a day, according to the ADA. To help them understand how long two minutes really is, set a timer that kids can watch while brushing to keep track of how much longer they have left.
3. Positioning matters: Parents need to brush kids’ teeth when they’re young and don’t have the manual dexterity to hold a toothbrush. It’s usually easiest to do so by laying your child down on a bed or couch and propping up their head, says Reboucas— this position, which is similar to how you sit in the chair at a dentist’s office, helps prevent them from squirming. Then, when they can properly grip and control a toothbrush, kids can somewhat take over. “Parents can let kids “brush” by themselves, but they should do the actual brushing since children will miss several spots,” he says. Reboucas recommends sitting down and having your child stand between your legs so they stay still.
4. Watch and learn: Let your child watch you or their siblings brush their teeth. “Kids like to imitate their parents, so brushing your teeth in front of them will make them more interested in brushing,” says Reboucas. You can also show kids videos of people brushing their teeth, including their favorite TV and movie characters.
5. Make it fun: Play your child’s favorite song while brushing, let them brush in their pajamas, put on a funny video — anything that makes the tooth brushing experience more enjoyable will make kids actually want to do it, says Creaven.

At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

• Dr. Lisa Creaven is a dentist and the co-founder of Made By Dentists. (Ed’s note: The inclusion of products sold by Made By Dentists in this article was made independently of Creaven.)
• Dr. Breno Reboucas is a clinical associate professor and the director of predoctoral pediatric dentistry at the Boston University School of Dental Medicine.
• Dr. Amr Moursi is a professor and chairman of pediatric dentistry at the New York University College of Dentistry.

I’m a reporter at NBC Select who has covered dental care since 2020, including topics like electric toothbrushes, water flossers and teeth whitening. To write this article, I interviewed three dentists about how to shop for kids toothpaste and rounded up the best ADA-accepted options to shop.

Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.