Everything you need to know about caring for your kids' teeth

Q: I see a lot of natural toothpastes in the store these days that don't contain fluoride. Are they OK for kids to use?

A: While fluoride protects enamel, non-fluoridated toothpastes are best for kids who can't yet spit. Why? Swallowing fluoride and getting too much of it can lead to fluorosis, which causes stains on the enamel of permanent teeth. (What's most important, whichever toothpaste you choose, is the action of brushing teeth, which does most of the cleaning.) When your child's old enough to spit, talk to your dentist; she may be getting plenty of fluoride through tap water, fluoride treatments, and food. Also note: Infants under 1 do not need fluoride and are particularly vulnerable to fluorosis. The American Dental Association recommends that you use water that has no fluoride, or only a low level of it, for formula that needs to be reconstituted. Best bets are purified, deionized, demineralized, distilled, or reverse osmosis filtered water.