Do you remember the excitement of your baby’s first tooth coming out? That tiny tooth may seem like a small milestone, but it marks the beginning of a big responsibility—caring for your child’s oral health. Baby teeth (or milk teeth) may be temporary, they play an essential role in helping your child chew, speak, and guide permanent teeth into their proper positions. As your child grows, those baby teeth will eventually make way for permanent teeth.

During the mixed dentition phase, where children have both baby and permanent teeth, it becomes even more important to use the right toothpaste to protect their teeth from decay. This transition requires special attention to oral hygiene to prevent decay in both baby and newly emerging permanent teeth. So let’s get into it.

DID YOU KNOW?
Severe decay in baby teeth can affect eating and sleep, which can slow growth?

Understanding the Difference Between Baby Teeth and Permanent Teeth

As your child grows, their oral health needs change. Baby teeth and permanent teeth each have their unique characteristics and require different care strategies to ensure optimal dental health. Here’s a closer look at how these teeth differ, and what you should keep in mind at each stage:

Importance of Using Toothpaste with Appropriate Fluoride Content for Different Dentition Levels

Choosing toothpaste with appropriate fluoride content is essential for protecting children’s teeth as they grow. For baby teeth (ages 6 to 5 years), a toothpaste with 500ppm fluoride helps strengthen softer enamel and protect against early caries, while poses lower fluorosis risk for young children who may not know how to spit out toothpaste. As permanent teeth start to emerge (from 6 years onward), a higher fluoride concentration of 1000ppm is necessary to protect against cavities, especially with increased exposure to sugary foods.

Kodomo 6 month- 5 years	Kodomo 6 years +
Has a fluoride level of 500ppm Repairs early caries in 14 days’ Microfoam reaches between teeth and gum lines for effective cleaning Paraben & sugar-free Food grade ingredients Child-friendly, delicious fruity flavours including  strawberry, orange, grape and apple.	Extra Cavity Shield with 1000ppm fluoride Repairs early caries in 14 days’ Microfoam reaches between teeth and gum lines for effective cleaning Paraben & sugar-free Food grade ingredients Delicious Strawberry flavour with a tinge of mint, for clean, fresh smelling breath

Combining the power of fluoride with 5% xylitol as found in Kodomo Lion toothpaste, provides even greater oral care protection for your child. Together, they can repair early caries in 14 days*, making Kodomo Lion toothpaste an ideal choice for both stages of dental development.

*Based on remineralization study of toothpaste with fluoride and xylitol