Children’s Toothpaste Guide: Fluoride, How Much to Use and Brushing from the First Tooth

When your baby’s first tooth appears, brushing suddenly comes with a surprising number of questions.

Do they really need toothpaste for one tiny tooth? What happens if they swallow it? Should you choose fluoride-free toothpaste until they can spit? And how much toothpaste are you actually supposed to put on that little brush?

These are all very normal concerns. The good news is that caring for young teeth does not need to be complicated. A small, soft toothbrush, the right amount of toothpaste and a consistent twice-daily routine are the main things to focus on.

Here is a simple guide to getting it right from the beginning.

Should I use toothpaste from the first tooth?

Yes. Once that first tooth appears, it is time to start brushing.

Use a small, soft toothbrush and brush twice a day with a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste. One of those brushing sessions should be the last thing at night before your child goes to sleep.

You do not need to wait until your child learns how to spit before starting fluoride toothpaste. The important part is using the correct amount for their age.

What fluoride level should I look for?

It is easy to pick up a toothpaste labelled “for children” and assume that is enough. It is worth checking the fluoride concentration as well.

For children under 3, the guidance in the source material recommends toothpaste containing around 1,000 ppm fluoride. A higher concentration should only be used if advised by a dentist.

For children aged 3 to 6, the recommended range is 1,000–1,500 ppm fluoride.

The “ppm” number simply tells you the concentration of fluoride in the toothpaste, so it is worth checking the actual label rather than relying only on the words “children’s toothpaste”.

How much toothpaste should I use?

Probably less than you think.

For children under 3, use only a very thin smear, roughly the size of a grain of rice.

For children aged 3 to 6, use approximately a pea-sized amount.

There is no need to cover the whole length of the toothbrush with toothpaste. For younger children, it is better for a parent or carer to put the toothpaste on the brush so the amount stays controlled.

A small amount, used properly, is the key.

What if my child swallows the toothpaste?

This is one of the biggest concerns parents have, especially before a child learns how to spit.

The answer is not to fill the toothbrush with toothpaste. It is to keep the amount small and appropriate for their age.

Do not let children eat toothpaste straight from the tube or squeeze it onto the brush themselves. Keep the tube somewhere they cannot easily reach.

Once your child is able to spit, encourage them to spit out the excess after brushing.

There is also no need to rinse the mouth with water afterwards.

What if my child hates the taste of toothpaste?

Sometimes brushing is not really the problem. The flavour is.

Some children simply dislike the strong mint taste found in many conventional toothpastes. If every brushing session turns into a battle because of the flavour, trying something milder or simply different can make the routine much easier.

This is where the EDINCO Rose Rio range gives families more choice in flavour and sensory experience.

The range includes:

• Rose Water – a gentle, non-mint option
• Lavender Water – another non-mint flavour for people who dislike traditional mint toothpaste
• Spirulina + Sea Minerals – a more unusual botanical and mineral-inspired option
• Aloe Vera + Propolis – a botanical formulation with a softer everyday feel
• Matcha – a green-tea-inspired option for those who prefer something different from conventional toothpaste flavours

These flavours can be useful for families looking for a more enjoyable brushing experience, particularly when strong mint is putting someone off brushing altogether.

The Rose Rio range is fluoride-free, making it an option for families who prefer to avoid fluoride or are concerned about accidental swallowing. Instead of fluoride, the range focuses on botanical and naturally derived ingredients to offer a different everyday oral-care experience. As with any toothpaste, only a small amount should be used for children, and it should not be intentionally swallowed.

Is a finger toothbrush enough?

A finger brush can be useful in the early stages, but once teeth begin to appear, it is a good idea to use a proper child-sized toothbrush with a small head and soft bristles.

If the finger brush only has silicone ridges, do not rely on it as the only way of cleaning erupted teeth.

A simple manual toothbrush is perfectly fine. What matters most is being able to reach and gently clean all the tooth surfaces.

Should my child brush their own teeth?

Let them practise. It is a great habit to build.

But young children usually still need help.

Most children need an adult to help with brushing until around 7 or 8 years old. They may be able to hold the brush long before they have the coordination to clean every surface properly.

A good approach is to let them brush first, then you finish the job.

Gently clean:

• the outside surfaces;
• the inside surfaces;
• the chewing surfaces.

Do this twice a day, and make the night-time brush before bed a non-negotiable part of the routine.

What if my child refuses to open their mouth?

Sometimes a little choice goes a long way.

Instead of saying, “It is time to brush your teeth,” try:

“Do you want the blue toothbrush or the red one?”

You can also brush a favourite toy’s teeth first, sing the same short song every evening, or let your child practise on a doll before it is their turn.

If toothpaste flavour seems to be the problem, try a milder or more familiar taste that makes brushing less unpleasant.

The important thing is not to turn brushing into a daily fight if you can avoid it. A calm, repeatable routine usually works better than forcing the issue.

Do not assume every brushing problem is behavioural

If your child repeatedly refuses brushing, there may occasionally be a reason other than stubbornness.

Repeated bleeding, significant sensitivity or pain should not simply be ignored.

If bleeding is the main concern, our guide to Why Bleeding Gums Happen and How to Care for Them explains common causes of bleeding gums, what signs to look out for and how a gentle daily routine can support gum health.

If something looks unusual, keeps happening or seems uncomfortable, arrange a dental check.

If you want to understand some of the problems that can affect teeth and gums in more detail, read our guide to 6 Common Oral Health Problems: Causes, Treatment and Prevention, which covers tooth decay, gum problems, sensitivity and other common concerns.

A simple children’s brushing routine

You do not need an elaborate routine. Keep it simple and consistent:

1. Start brushing from the first tooth.
2. Brush twice a day.
3. Use a small toothbrush with soft bristles.
4. Choose toothpaste with an age-appropriate fluoride concentration.
5. Under 3: use a rice-grain-sized smear.
6. Ages 3–6: use a pea-sized amount.
7. Help your child brush properly until they have the coordination to do it themselves.
8. Keep toothpaste out of reach so they cannot eat it directly from the tube.
9. If flavour is making brushing difficult, explore gentler or different flavour options.
10. If there is persistent pain, bleeding or sensitivity, speak to a dentist.

The aim is not to make brushing perfect from day one. It is to build a routine that your child can get used to and that becomes part of everyday life.

Two gentle brushing sessions, a small amount of the right toothpaste and a little patience go a long way.