Aibu to warn you to check your children's toothpaste?

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

One of my dc has developed tooth decay. I'll put this straight out there so as not to drip feed. We have been quite careful with dental health and hygeine and couldn't understand why it had happened.

So I checked the kids' toothpaste. It's Dentalux for children 0-6 years, bought in Lidl and it has only half the recommended minimum amount of fluoride for children at 500ppm. NHS say for children between 3-6 years it should "contain more than 1000ppm fluoride".

I'm really cross about this. I think if a product is on sale it should meet at least the minimum standard

So please go and check your children's toothpaste now so you don't end up feeling as shit as I do.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/fluoride

it definitely isn't common knowledge because there are health concerns around flouride so some people use flouride-free toothpastes.

And I was advised that children should use toothpaste with less flouride in it because they are more likely to swallow it while brushing and it can be bad for you to do that.

So I fail to see why the OP "should have known" anything.

My son had a flouride-free toothpaste for a while because he didn't like mint, so he had a strawberry flavoured one. I suspect the quality of the brushing is the most important thing (as well as being blessed with strong teeth and not drinking too many sugary drinks).

I'm a qualified dental nurse so did know about the toothpaste thing however every practise I have worked at (NHS) had childsmile nurses and therapists/hygienists who would give information on diet, brushing, products etc. We also have dental nurses who go around local nurseries and schools checking teeth and giving out free toothbrushes and toothpaste. My son also gets his teeth brushed at preschool after lunch. This is NE Scotland and its all about prevention being better than cure.

My ds doesn't like strong mint so we use a mild mint one for him. Dd just uses whatever we buy for her

we switched to adult toothpaste when we realised that the kids stuff had the same flouride contents but cost at least twice as much.
my dc like the taste of the green adult dentalux.

You can get flavoured toothpaste that still has fluoride in it

I live in Germany, I've just looked at our kid toothpastes and they're all 500ppm, which includes Signal (Unilever) and Odol-Med (GSK) - not cheap ones. I've not noticed massive amounts of tooth decay here . Is this one of those "only care about it in Britain/on Mumsnet" things like the 48h exclusion from nursery after D&V and ERF car seats?

Op "at least its not his adult teeth" no this is a common misperception. Its just as important to keep children's teeth decay free as they maintain space for the permanent dentition. (Am a dentist) and am actually surprised that hv's dont advise new mums routinely on using adult toothpaste from the start. I mainly work with kids and we all tell patients to use adult strength. Should be at least 1450ppm flouride

I thought that kids' toothpastes were used because they weren't so strongly flavoured.

I assumed that fluoride levels were as they should be.

I didn't know. Two years ago we attended a talk by a dental nurse at our local children's centre and the message was very much to start on low fluoride when they are young and gradually build it up. We use well known branded children's toothpaste. Saw the dentist last summer and she didn't batt an eyelid when she asked about toothpaste. When did the guidelines change?

Aquafresh, etc kids toothpastes used to have only 500ppm but a few years ago it changed to 1000ppm for the milk teeth ones and rose to 1450ppm for the older kids ones. They have milder flavours so quite good if your kids don't like strong mint

Adult toothpaste says not suitable under 6 years. NHS website says 1000ppm for young children. So I would rather follow that than risk harming childrens health by giving them too much. I'm sure 1000ppm would be absolutely fine. The issue here is that the OP bought a toothpaste containing less than 1000ppm. OP YANBU to expect the minimum standard in a toothpaste.

Yanbu, we bought the Colgate minion toothpaste - fluoride levels good BUT when opening it found it was bubble gum flavour. Def not impressed

If they don't like mint, Morrisons do a fruity one.

My daughters teeth were fine when using fluoride free toothpaste. My son has cavities despite always using a toothpaste with fluoride. I think there are many factors involved in why children get cavities.

I often shake my head at lack of knowledge out there but I had never heard of this about the ppm fluoride.

Listened to hv, visited dentist. Laziness has meant we have all used the adult toothpaste from about 3 anyway, dentist said yes it's fine. Maybe the children's brand I bought said up to 3 years? - I can't recall now. We did get the toothpaste from nursery too.

I think you are right to inform Lidl that the product is not recommended for children of 3-6 in the UK.

It's not common knowledge at all - I thought it was important not to give too high fluoride levels to kids.

Thanks for the heads up OP, that's thoughtful of you.

For those that don't like the strong flavours of adult toothpaste but want high fluoride levels this is good
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0085AOSU0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1457106904&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=oranurse+toothpaste&dpPl=1&dpID=41VR%2B9g6w7L&ref=plSrch

We get given a new child smile toothbrush and toothpaste everytime we go to the dentist. DS gets them at nursery occasionally too. Surely they must contain the necessary levels of fluoride?

Dentist said I should be brushing his teeth for him until he is 14. Not that I can see that ever actually happening.

Different people always say different things, and it depends on how much fluoride is in your water -- either naturally or through fluoridation. Our pediatrician also told us to be cautious because too much fluoride can be worse than not enough!

thanks op
I did not know this either.
I've used all sorts of toothpaste for mine, you expect it to be fine for the age.

Wizard yummy could you clarify whether it is unwise to clean teeth straight after a meal because of the softened enamel?

I didn't know. I'm pretty sure that when DS was a baby I was given a list by the HV of cheaper brands that had a lower fluoride content, for parents who couldn't afford the stuff marketed for babies and toddlers.

My DCs use the Aquafresh for 3-5 year olds which is 1450ppm, but I only know that because I just checked the tube! I buy it because my children don't like the taste of the Colgate stuff DH and I use, but I just checked that tube too and it says "not for children under 6". Doesn't say why though...

You should wait 20/30 minutes after eating before brushing.

I was in Holland and Barrett a couple of months ago where some idiot man was attempting to buy fluoride free toothpaste for children and being encouraged by the shop assistant. I felt quite cross but didn't think it quite warranted contacting Social Services.

Does anybody know how damaging too much fluoride is? DS loves the taste of toothpaste and sucks away at the brush, he's definitely swallowing it. He's 15 months.