Can anyone explain children's toothpaste to me?

[LapinDeBois]

Because I'm beginning to think the whole area is nothing more than a money-making exercise. So, I have two boys (6 and 3), and the oldest is very sensitive about flavours, textures, etc. He's always been ok with the Aquafresh Little Teeth toothpaste. Now he's 6, though, I thought it might be important to move him on to the next stage, so I bought him the Big Teeth one. He hated it, so I tried the Colgate brand instead. He hated that too. But then, when I looked closely at the packets, they've all got the same fluoride content (1450PPM) as the Little Teeth one, plus apparently the same other ingredients. And so I then looked at my own adult toothpaste, and it says not suitable for children under 7, so presumably he could use that in a year anyway.

So, my question: is there any difference between the different 'stages' of toothpaste, and is there any reason to move them from one to another, before they get to the right age for an adult fluoride concentration?

[MERLYPUSS]

I always thought it was to do with flouride content. Perhaps adult toothpaste is too abrasive? Lidls mild mint (adult) is bland.

[Molinko]

Children's toothpaste is a massive waste of money, we use bog-standard own brand adults toothpaste, a smear for the toddler and pea-sized for the older one. The toothpaste boxes tell you if they're suitable.
Maybe look for spearmint rather than peppermint, if flavour is an issue.

[adagio]

The free aquafresh one that came in one of the free packs (bounty or Emmas diary, I forget which) is 1000ppm fluoride - i.e. lower than our usual adult one.

My dentist (who I trust implicitly, having been with her since my first teeth cut through!) said it is worth starting LO (10m, first two teeth just cut) on fluoride drops as they do more good than harm, so I can't say I am at all worried about 'too much' flouride. At this rate the free tube will last a year though as I am using such a small amount. I doubt I will buy her anything special once it runs out, unless flavour is an issue.

[LapinDeBois]

Interesting, thank you. Maybe I should concentrate on finding a nice mild adult toothpaste instead. Any recommendations other than Lidl? Don't have a Lidl.

[Mrsmorton]

What adagio said is right. Kids toothpaste is a waste of time and money. Get them used to adult toothpaste now, just a smear and spit, don't rinse (or swallow).

[Anniemousse]

Children's toothpaste used to have lower levels of fluoride in. When <a class="break-all" href="http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130107105354/www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset/dh_102982.pdf" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">this document was published (which is excellent, evidence based advice) the manufacturer's increased to fluoride levels to comply.

From that document:
Children aged 3-6yrs should brush twice per day with a toothpaste containing 1350-1500ppm fluoride, using a pea sized amount of taste, supervised by adult, spit after brushing (don't rinse).

Oranurse make an unflavoured toothpaste for those kids who can not tolerate strong toothpaste flavours.

[MERLYPUSS]

Colegate is bland too - the plain red one. Shops own (Lidl) is 1450 whatevers of flouride. The same as the Tesco kids one 3-6yrs. As long as you're not using a whitening one I cant see the problem. We have moved our boys onto adult toothbrushes too as they wer 4 for a £1.