Safe Ways to Teach Your Baby 6–12 Months to Brush Their Teeth: Avoid Artificial Sweeteners and Choose Toothpaste That's Safe to Swallow

Brushing Your Baby's Teeth 6–12 Months: Start Safely, Early

Teaching children aged 6–12 months to brush their teeth is an important step in establishing healthy habits from an early age. At this age, babies are actively learning to be independent, including brushing their teeth themselves. However, parents need to be vigilant, as at this stage, children are prone to swallowing toothpaste.

Why is it important to choose a toothpaste that is safe if swallowed?
Because many conventional toothpastes contain ingredients that are unsafe for children, avoid ingredients such as:

High levels of fluoride – can cause fluorosis if swallowed in excess.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) – can cause mouth irritation.
Triclosan – hormone disruptor.
Artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, aspartame, and sorbitol – are not needed by babies and can cause side effects.

What is the Difference Between Xylitol and Artificial Sweeteners like Saccharin?

Xylitol is often mistaken for an artificial sweetener simply because it tastes sweet and is often used in sugar-free products. In fact, xylitol is a natural sweetener derived from plant fibers such as corn and birch trees. The human body even produces small amounts of xylitol every day as part of normal metabolism.

Unlike saccharin , a synthetic artificial sweetener , xylitol has scientifically proven dental health benefits. Xylitol helps reduce the number of harmful bacteria (such as Streptococcus mutans ) in the mouth, which can cause cavities. Furthermore, it doesn't cause blood sugar spikes, making it safe for toddlers.

Meanwhile, saccharin —although approved for use—provides no additional oral benefits, and for some children, it can cause side effects such as digestive upset or mild allergic reactions. Therefore, for babies and toddlers who are learning to brush their teeth and are likely to swallow toothpaste, xylitol is a much better, natural, and healthy-tooth choice .

Below is a table of the differences between Xylitol and Saccharin to make it clearer.

Aspect	Xylitol	Saccharin
Origin	From plants (birch, corn)	Synthetic, from chemical compounds
Production process	Fermentation/Hydrogenation (still from natural sources)	Chemical synthesis in the laboratory
Found in Nature	Yes, on fruits & vegetables	No
Safety for Children	Safe if used according to the dosage	Not recommended for small children
Common Side Effects	Diarrhea if consumed excessively	Allergic reaction, bitter at the end
Role in Dental Health	Prevent caries & cavities	Has no benefit for teeth
Types of Sweeteners	Natural sweetener (sugar alcohol)	Artificial sweeteners

So, choose a toothpaste that is completely safe if swallowed by babies and toddlers:

✅Contains natural sweeteners such as Xylitol – proven safe, some studies even show they help prevent tooth decay because they inhibit bad bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans .
Made from natural ingredients, high fluoride free, without detergents or harmful synthetic ingredients.
Safe to swallow and certified food grade.
❌ Avoid synthetic sweeteners such as sodium saccharin , aspartame , and sucralose — due to the potential for long-term negative effects, especially if ingested by babies on a regular basis.

Check out this article for a clearer look at the complete ingredients contained in various brands of children's toothpaste widely available in Indonesia.

Tooth Brushing Tips for Babies

Starting from the first tooth appearing.
Use a soft toothbrush specifically for babies.
Use baby toothpaste, the size of a grain of rice.
Do this routine twice a day, in the morning and before bed.
Make brushing time fun: sing, model, and play.

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Conclusion

Getting your child into the habit of brushing their teeth from an early age is the best gift for their future dental health. But make sure the product is safe, especially since babies can't spit yet. Always read labels, avoid artificial sweeteners and risky ingredients, and choose a toothpaste that's safe to swallow.

Scientific References:

Ly KA, et al. (2006). Xylitol reduces mutans streptococci in dental plaque and saliva . J Dent Res. PubMed links
Ismail AI, et al. (2008). Fluoride supplements and dental fluorosis . J Am Dent Assoc.
Burt BA (2006). The use of sorbitol- and xylitol-sweetened chewing gum in caries control . J Am Dent Assoc.
Xylitol in caries prevention — PubMed
Erythritol and oral health — NCBI
Adverse effects of artificial sweeteners — PubMed