It’s nothing to smile about: Rip-off cost of children’s toothpaste

CHILDrEN’S toothpastes can cost twice as much as adult versions with no extra health benefits, a dental expert has claimed.

Despite the price difference the products are almost exactly the same, said Nicola Innes, a professor of paediatric dentistry.

Aquafresh Milk Teeth is £2 per 100ml and contains the recommended amount of fluoride for children under three.

But a normal tube of Colgate adult toothpaste has the same fluoride content while costing only £1.07 for 100ml. Colgate Smiles Baby, also with the same amount of fluoride, is £2.60 per 100ml.

Meanwhile Boots Smile Kids, for children up to two, costs £2 per 100ml but has half the recommended amount of fluoride. The version for children between two and six costs the same but does meet the fluoride guidelines.

Toothpaste for youngsters is often sold with cartoon characters and fruit flavours, but Professor Innes said: ‘Parents are in danger of paying extra for expensive children’s toothpastes which are colourful and attractive but offer no additional health benefit to a cheaper adult toothpaste.

‘The most important thing is that the fluoride content is right.’

Fluoride is the important ingredient in toothpaste, making teeth stronger and more resistant to decay. The Department of Health recommends children use a toothpaste with a fluoride content of at least 1,000 parts per million.

Ben Atkins, of the British Dental Association, agreed there is no need for specialist children’s toothpastes, but said parents should use only a smear of the family paste on children’s teeth.

Toothpastes marketed with cartoon characters may persuade reluctant children to brush their teeth. They may also prefer different flavours, such as ice cream and bubble gum versions, to stronger mint adult toothpastes.

However Professor Innes, of the University of Dundee, said there are non-flavoured toothpastes with the right amount of fluoride.

Writing on website The Conversation, she said: ‘There is nothing in children’s toothpaste for child dental health that isn’t contained in adult tubes. So long as you follow the fluoride content you won’t go far wrong.’

A spokesman for GSK, which makes Aquafresh, said: ‘Children’s milk teeth are 50 per cent thinner than those of adults so we have created a range of children’s toothpastes with low abrasivity.’

The spokesman added that the Aquafresh Kids range has different flavours to adult toothpaste ‘to encourage acceptance’.

Boots said of its Smile Kids range: ‘They have a milder flavour and a gentler gel-based formulation than those used in typical adult toothpastes.’