Fluoride Toothpaste plays a vital role in protecting your child’s teeth against decay. Fluoride combines with the tooth structure to make a stronger more acid resistant tooth.
With so many toothpastes on the market below are some tips to look out for when you go to purchase your child’s next toothpaste.
Fluoride level – Toothpaste comes in different fluoride levels ranging from low range 500-600ppm, medium range 1000-1100ppm, high range 1450ppm to very high 5000ppm. These levels can be found on the box and tube with the ingredients of the toothpaste.
The different levels are used for different ages and risk factors. Most children’s toothpaste is marketed with specific age range on the packet. This is not a medical determined range and the right toothpaste level should be recommended by your child’s dental professional. Below is a simple chart that may help.
12mths to 2 years
Smear 500ppm toothpaste
Smear of 1000ppm toothpaste
2 years to 4 years
Smear of 1000ppm toothpaste
½ pea size 1000ppm toothpaste
4 years to 6 years
Small pea size 1000ppm toothpaste
Small pea size of 1450ppm toothpaste
6+ years
Small pea size of 1450ppm toothpaste
Pea size of 1450ppm toothpaste
SLS- (sodium lauryl sulphate) is a type of soap in toothpaste that makes the paste froth. For some people SLS can cause ulcers and mild irritations. There are many SLS free toothpastes on the market.
Many children find mint flavoured pastes unpalatable, I generally encourage new parents to start with a my first mint toothpaste so your child becomes accustomed to a mild mint flavour, instead of starting them on sweeter flavoured pastes, that can make the transition even harder. If your child still does not like mint flavoured paste below is a list of low to medium non mint flavoured paste that are readily available at your local chemist or supermarket.
