Mouthwash For Kids
Mouthwash For Kids
Kids' mouthwash can be an effective part of your children's oral care routine. Kids' mouthwash is often formulated to help fight cavities and can help remove food remnants from their teeth. Knowing when and how to use mouthwash for kids helps protect your little ones' teeth.
What Kind of Mouthwash to Use For Kids?
When looking for mouthwash for kids, consider a kid-friendly product. There are many available brands of mouthwash designed primarily for kids. Some mouthwashes feature kid-friendly designs, such as cartoons. They also have flavors that kids will surely love, such as bubblegum and grapes. It's also essential to look for the main ingredient, fluoride, which prevents cavities and kills odor-causing bacteria.
What Kind of Mouthwash Is Best For Kids?
The best mouthwash for kids is an alcohol-free mouthwash. Choosing an alcohol-free mouthwash ensures that there will be no adverse effects if your child should swallow some of it. Additionally, the best mouthwash for kids should have the ADA Seal of Approval. Having this on the label means the product conforms to the standard requirements of the American Dental Association. As a result, you can be sure it is safe for your kids.
Is Mouthwash Safe For Kids?
When used properly, mouthwash is definitely safe for kids. It only becomes a problem if ingested in high doses. For younger children, swallowing it can upset their stomach. That's why the recommended minimum age for kids to start using mouthwash is six years old. Ingesting large amounts of alcohol-based mouthwash can cause nausea, vomiting, and intoxication. This should be avoided at all costs, so it is best to choose an alcohol-free mouthwash.
Should Kids Use Mouthwash?
Young kids usually shouldn't use mouthwash due to the risk of them swallowing it. The minimum recommended age for mouthwash use is usually 6, but some kids might need to wait longer if they're not ready to use kids' mouthwash safely. Your child should be able to swish and spit out most of the mouthwash before using it regularly. This is often more difficult than not swallowing toothpaste — kids sometimes accidentally swallow the mouth rinse as they're swishing it, which doesn't happen with toothpaste while they're brushing their teeth.
Younger kids often can't help but swallow large amounts of mouthwash, resulting in things such as nausea or vomiting. Some mouthwash contains alcohol, which can lead to intoxication when swallowed in large amounts. Until you know your child can swish without swallowing, stick with a brushing and flossing routine for oral care.
What Type of Kids' Mouthwash Is Best?
Kids' mouthwash appeals to young taste buds because of the kid-friendly flavors. Many adult mouthwash products are mint-flavored or use other flavors that might feel hot to a child. Kids' versions often come in bubble gum or fruit flavors to make them taste better and feel gentler on the mouth. Colorful designs or kids' characters on the bottle along with brightly colored liquids add to the appeal.
It's common to choose alcohol-free mouth rinse for kids, and many kids' mouthwash products are made without alcohol already. Some people prefer organic mouthwash for kids depending on their personal preferences for ingredients.
How to Use Kids' Mouthwash
When your child is old enough to use kids' mouthwash, let them pick out a flavor they like. Do a test run with water to see how well your child swishes the liquid and spits it out to ensure they're ready for mouthwash. These tips can help when your child starts using mouthwash:
Demonstrate how to use mouthwash properly.
When your child first starts using mouthwash, supervise them until you're confident that they know how to use it safely.
Start with just a small amount to avoid causing your child to swallow some or spit it out and make a mess.
It's also important to continue other kids' oral care tasks, such as brushing and flossing teeth. Mouthwash should complement those other tasks and not replace them.