Is Mouthwash Safe for My Child?

Find out if your little one should start using mouthwash.

When it comes to your child’s growing smile, there are some differences between what they need to do to maintain good oral health and what you need to do. Of course, our Amherst, NH pediatric dentists Dr. James McAveeney and Dr. Andrew Cheifetz understand that youMouthwash won’t know all the answers all the time, which is why we are here to help.

No matter whether your child’s first tooth has come in or you are preparing your little one to start caring for their smile on their own, there are always questions that arise. One big one is whether or not mouthwash is safe for children to use.

Usually, mouthwash isn’t right for children under six years old. Why? Because mouthwash usually contains fluoride, which can be great at preventing decay but can also cause fluorosis in young children. This condition can cause brown spots and a bumpy texture in your child’s teeth while they are still developing. But this problem can easily be prevented by not giving mouthwash to children under the age of six.

Even once your child is the appropriate age for mouthwash, it’s still important to gauge whether using mouthwash is the best option for them. Mouthwash should never be swallowed and young children may accidentally swallow it.

Not sure if your child is ready for mouthwash? Here is one tip from our Amherst children’s dentists that might help you decide. After your child is finished brushing their teeth tell them to take a sip of water and swish it around in their mouth and spit it out. If your child is able to do this then they may also be ready to use mouthwash.

There are great mouthwashes out there specifically designed for children’s oral needs in mind. If you aren’t sure which kind to get don’t hesitate to ask us. We can help make the decision a bit easier when it comes to what products to get to help your child maintain a healthy smile.

Turn to the experts in pediatric oral health at Children's Dental Center of New Hampshire. Call our Amherst, NH dental office to schedule your child’s next routine cleaning.

Hours of Operation

Our Regular Schedule

Map and Location

Monday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Thursday:

8:00 am-5:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-4:00 pm

 

Our Location

Find us on the map