Children's Toothpaste: with fluoride or without?

[PommePoire]

Have looked on the British Dental Health Foundation's website here and see that it says "all children" should use a toothpaste with some fluoride content. They advise fluoride content increasing as children get older and lose their milk teeth.

Why are toothpastes without fluoride available and what are peoples' reasons for using them?

I know young children must be taught as early as possible not to swallow the paste. Is there a health risk associated with fluoride ingestion?

I live in West Kent where, as far as I can find out, we do not have fluoridated tap water.

here in Scotland we are advised to use kids toothpaste with 1000ppm fluoride as the water isnt fluoridated.

There is onfo about the childsmile initiative here

Thanks Seona, that does back up the use of fluoride toothpaste.

But why would you choose fluoride free toothpaste? Do some people believe fluoride is unnecessary or that it's 'bad' for children?

I think fluorosis is the main issue. Studies advise on fluoridated toothpaste use in children