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.