which toothpaste should DS1 be using.

[TwirlyN]

he's 5.6 and has his big bottom teeth. Should we be changing from the baby toothpaste?

if you lok on the back of the tube it should have a number followed by ppm of fluoride.

At my post natal classes recently we had a dental heath nurse there and she said toothpaste for children should have the minium of 1000ppm for it to cleean properly. For adukts its shoukd be 1400ppm.

HTH...

(I'm now obbsessed with checking them....some have a little as 400ppm!!)

my dentist said ofr adult teeth adult toothpaste

my 2 use the Oral-B stages one with power rangers on the front of the tube, has 1100ppmF in it which is for your ds's age

I don't think I've ever bought baby tooth paste, or not since they were two or something. Am sure dentist sais most "children's" toothpaste are a waste of time.

thank you LTH. So because he now has 2 big teeth, should we be looking for somewhere between 1000ppm and 1400ppm. or just let him use adult toothpaste?

ah ok noted, sorry slow typist alert.

Colgate Smiles for 6+ looks about right.

I think you have to be 7 to use adult toothpastes.

why 7, is it because of the teeth or something else?

Agree with LTH, look for 1000ppm and ignore children's toothpaste, it's rubbish.

I'm so glad this thread was started - I knew nothing about ppm - have just bought tube of colgate smiles for DS - checked the toothpaste I have been using and it was only 440ppmF. Its something I have never thought to ask the dentist about - DS teeth are fine - would be a good idea if dentists spoke to parents about it or had a poster in the waiting room.

Kid's toothpaste more expensive, too. Buy 1000ppm for whole family. Fewer items to remember and cheaper!

(Unfortunately dh forgot this rule and ds is now addicted to kid's paste. And we have enough trouble getting him to do his teeth so am putting up with it. Don't do as I do...)

my ds has about 8 adult teeth and uses Boots
Smile - just checked ppm and it has 525....

think I'd better change his toothpaste!

Thanks for telling us that, LTH.

errrrm, too much Fluoride can cause fluorodosis (yellowy mottling) of adult teeth. Children (toddlers really) tend to swallow toothpaste thus taking in too much fluoride. Kids' toothpastes have a lower dose of fluoride to blance this and it's particuluarly impt if you live in an area where the water is already fluoridated.