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  • What’s in a toothpaste? Picking the right one for your child

What’s in a toothpaste? Picking the right one for your child

Brushing twice daily with fluoridated toothpaste is one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay. 

But confusing packaging can make it difficult to pick the right product for your child. And if you’re letting your child pick the paste, they’re going to be far more interested in the character on the packaging than the toothpaste in the tube. 

This guide makes it simple to select the right toothpaste for your child’s unique dental needs. 

Decoding toothpaste packaging: A quick guide

Fluoride Content

The chief ingredient in toothpaste is Sodium Fluoride – and it’s the most important factor when picking the right paste.
Your dentist will tell you whether you should be choosing a low, medium, high or very high fluoride toothpaste.

Age Range

Most toothpaste packages give a recommended age – ignore it. Think of it as toothpaste company marketing, not a medical recommendation. Your dentist’s recommended fluoride content overrides the recommended age range on a toothpaste box. 

SLS Free

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is a common ingredient in toothpaste. It offers a number of benefits in cleaning and removing food.

However, some children have a sensitivity to SLS – that’s why many pastes for sensitive teeth do not include it. 

Flavour

No flavour is better or worse for your child’s teeth. The best flavour is the one your child likes and is happy to use!

Low fluoride toothpastes

500ppm-600ppm (often written on the packaging as 0.11% Sodium Fluoride or NaF)

Colgate® 0% Artificial Anticavity Fluoride Baby Toothpaste, 80g

Mild fruit flavour

Macleans Toothpaste Milkteeth | Flavour: Mild Mint

Mild mint

Oral-B Stages Olaf Mild Fruit 0-3 years Fluoride Toothpaste for Kids, 92g

Mild fruit flavour

Grants of Australia Blueberry Burst Kids Natural Toothpaste with Low Fluoride 75g

Mild mint

Colgate Kids Junior Bluey Children’s Toothpaste, 90g

Mild Mint

The Wiggles Toothpaste Vanilla Flavour Sugar Free, 96g

Vanilla Mint

The Wiggles Toothpaste Strawberry Flavour Sugar Free, 96g

Strawberry Mint

Oral-B Frozen Kids 3+ Years Toothpaste, 92g

Mild Fruity

Oral-B Kids Spiderman Fluoride Toothpaste, 92g

Cherry

Colgate® 0% Artificial Anticavity Fluoride Kids Toothpaste, 80g

Strawberry

Colgate® My First Mild Mint Gel Kids Toothpaste, 45g

Mild mint

Medium fluoride toothpastes

1,000ppm-1,100ppm (often written on the packaging as 0.22% Sodium Fluoride or NaF)

Grin Kids Natural Berry-licious With Fluoride, 70g SLS Free

Berry Mint

Firefly Avengers Toothpaste, 75ml

Available: Chemist Warehouse. Comes in a variety of different character options including: Paw Patrol, Baby Shark, My Little Pony, LOL, PJ Masks and Teletubbies.

Strawberry

Macleans Little Teeth Kids Toothpaste, 63g

Bubblegum Mint

Colgate® Minions™ Kids Mint Gel Toothpaste, 90g

Mild Mint

Grants Of Australia Fresh Mint Natural Toothpaste with Fluoride, 110g  SLS Free

Mint

Hismile Toothpaste, 60g

Various Flavours

Hello Kids Toothpaste Unicorn Sparkle/Glitter, 119g

Bubble Gum

Colgate® Smile for good, Natural White Toothpaste, 95g

Mint

Red Seal Toothpaste Complete Care Fluoride, 100g  SLS Free

Mild Mint

Red Seal Kids Fluoride Berry Bubblicious Toothpaste, 70g SLS Free

Berry Bubblicious

High fluoride toothpastes

1,450ppm (often written on the packaging as 0.32% Sodium Fluoride or NaF)

Oral-B Star Wars Junior Toothpaste

Mild Mint

Oral-B Frozen Junior 6+Years Toothpaste, 92g

Mild Mint

Macleans Big Teeth Kids Toothpaste, 63g

Mild Mint

Sensodyne Toothpaste Sensitive Teeth Pain Repair & Protect Fluoride, 100g

Cool Mint

Colgate Max Fresh with Mini Breath Strips, 200g

Flavour similar to Colgate Minions toothpaste

Mild Mint

Colgate Total Advanced Fresh Toothpaste, 115g

Flavour similar to Colgate Minions toothpaste

Mint

Coles Kids Strawberry 7+ Toothpaste, 98g

Strawberry

OraNurse Unflavoured toothpaste, 50ml SLS Free

This toothpaste can typically only be purchased online. It has no flavour and doesn’t foam – making it a great option for oral-sensitive children and adults.

Unflavoured

Very High fluoride toothpastes

5000ppm +

NeutraFluor 5000 Plus Toothpaste, 56g

This toothpaste can only be purchased over the counter at a pharmacy or from your dental clinic. It should only be used when prescribed by your dentist and is generally for children aged 12years +. Only use a rice grain-sized amount of paste.

Mild Mint

Finding the toothpastes in this list

The toothpastes in our handy list are commonly found at large chain supermarkets or pharmacies, such as Woolworths, Coles and Chemist Warehouse. The Macleans children’s toothpaste range is usually stocked at ALDI supermarkets. 

Need a little extra help?

If you’re struggling to find a toothpaste that works for your child, let us know at your next dental appointment. We will provide additional recommendations and give your child some flavours to sample. 

Happy brushing!

For more information on how to choose the right toothpaste for your children, visit our previous article here.