Why do children’s toothpastes often state ‘Do not swallow’?
“My kids are 2 and 3 and I noticed that the children’s toothpaste says ‘Do not swallow’ but they do – is this bad for them?
Is there a better toothpaste option for them?
What do you think of organic toothpaste?”
– Question from Joanne in Seven Hills, Brisbane
When a child swallows their toothpaste it gives them a ‘spike’ or high concentration of fluoride in their blood supply and this can adversely affect the development of their teeth.
When you have fluoride in the water supply, like we do here in Brisbane, it gives a low dose of fluoride over a long period of time and this also affects the enamel formation of teeth, but in a very positive way.
But you can have too much of a good thing…
So if you have too much fluoride in your blood then it can disrupt the cells that are forming the adult teeth.
Spitting out toothpaste helps maintain this positive effect of low dose fluoride.
So for children (and adults) swallowing toothpaste there is not harmful to the rest of the body in a health sense…
Don’t worry – they aren’t being poisoned.
However, the optimum approach for the development of children’s adult teeth is for them to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow it.
Children’s toothpastes have a lower fluoride concentration for the reasons given above. So the best thing to do is to get the toothpaste appropriate to the age of your child and follow the directions given on the pack.
A baby’s first tooth will usually come through at about 6 months, and it is at this stage the front adult teeth start forming in the gum, then the adult molars follow.
This process of the adult teeth forming in the gum takes about 4 and a half to 5 years and these are the teeth that can be affected by ‘too much flouride’. There are teeth developing after this so we would recommend using the specific toothpaste for the child’s age till about 6 or 7 years of age.
There is a range of organic toothpaste available, each with differing ingredients to each other, so it is difficult to comment on the group as a whole.
Most of them don’t contain fluoride, which means you are missing the protection for your teeth that this provides. However the toothpaste we use is only one part of our dental health puzzle… If you have a healthy diet and lifestyle, avoid sugars and there is fluoride in the water etc, then an organic toothpaste may suit you fine.
All of these factors come into it – best to talk to your dentist about particular products and your individual situation.
One thing we do like about the organic toothpaste is that it doesn’t have Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, which is an ingredient that scientists are taking a second look at.
Other thoughts about Toothpaste
The latest thing in toothpastes which we am trying at home at the moment, is a Pro-biotic toothpaste. The idea is a nice one, just as you take Pro-biotics to keep the bacteria in your gut balanced, a Pro-biotic toothpaste aims to maintain a balance of the bacteria in your mouth and around your teeth.
The downside is that the consistency is more like mud, it tastes awful and it is very expensive. These things do evolve quickly though so Pro-biotic toothpaste might be one to look out for in the future.
almost luxurious experience.
I highly recommend this dentist, especially if you suffer with anxiety or a fear of dentistry."
Your first visit at Today’s Dentistry is all about creating a Dental Roadmap so you know exactly what condition your teeth and gums are in, and what your options are for treatment.
Your first appointment includes:
4.9 (159 reviews)
4.9 (145 reviews)
4.9 (40 reviews)
Mon - Thu 8.30am - 8pm
Fri 8.30am - 2pm
Since 1988 We Have Been Treating Our Brisbane Northside Patients According To Our Philosophy Of Being Open, Honest And Plain Speaking. Meet Us And See Our Approach For Yourself By Watching One Of Our Videos!
Suburbs Near Us: Ascot Dentist | Brisbane Dentist | Chermside Dentist | Clayfield Dentist | Hamilton Dentist | Kedron Dentist | Newstead Dentist | Nundah Dentist | Teneriffe Dentist | Wavell Heights Dentist
B. Oral Health (Therapy & Hygiene)
“Working with patients of all ages continues to ignite my passion within dentistry and I strive to provide a gentle, supportive and positive environment for every patient I work with. ”
B. App Sci (Oral Health)
“I enjoy seeing the delight that our patients show when they realise how easy dental care can be! Our team at Today’s Dentistry work together to make every patient feel completely comfortable.”
Dr Sharon's commitment to excellence has shown itself right from the start of her dental career, when she graduated from the University of Queensland with Class I Honours. Her commitment to her craft is reflected in the numerous professional development courses she participates in, with a desire to get the best possible outcomes for her patients.
Dr. Sharon is passionate about empowering patients through education about their dental conditions, supporting them through overcoming dental anxiety, and helping them achieve their dental goals.
Away from the clinic, Dr. Sharon is an avid baker, a keen photographer, and a fitness enthusiast aiming to conquer the Bridge to Brisbane run in 2023.
I always loved going to my own dental visits, and one day I honestly just though ‘why don’t I give dental assisting a go’. I applied for a job and got a call back straight away, and have been in the industry ever since!
I studied my Cert 3 in Dental Assisting online alongside working full time in my first dental job. I chose to do it online so I had more time to work as I am more of a hands on learner.
I LOVE smile makeovers. I love seeing the joy, and happiness it brings patients and the amount of confidence they gain by having their dream smile.
I love feeling like I am making some sort of impact on people’s lives. Whether it is helping them with their smile makeover, holding their hand during a procedure or just being an ear to talk to and a shoulder to cry on.
The team, they are all so wonderful and both Darryl and David are so great to work for. But also what our core value is – which is patient care. I think we are a really great team at making sure our patients come first and their experience with us is a positive one each and every time.
Brisbane born and bred, Sarah’s passion for dentistry began during her orthodontic treatment in her teens. After graduating from highschool, Sarah began working as a dental nurse and decided her true calling was as a dental hygienist. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2006 and has worked in both the private and public sector since then.
Sarah’s focus is on prevention and education. Her goal is to empower her patients so that they can achieve and maintain the best possible oral health for life.
In her free time Sarah can be found spending time with her two sons, hiking, attending a pilates class or exploring Brisbane and the surrounds looking for new restaurants to eat at or adventures to have.
I have been a proud part of the Today's Dentistry team for 20 years now.
My journey to get here though was anything but straight forward and I can probably thank my own childhood family dental visits in Newcastle NSW for my interest in this area of care. It too was a very special practice that took the time with their patients young and old and truly cared about them.
Having my own great experiences as a patient I was thrilled for them to accept me for my Year 10 work experience as a dental assistant and fell comfortably into the role. Due to life as it was back then and lack of public transport my career took me in a whole different direction and I had many years at the Aluminium Smelter in Kurri Kurri.
Once my children were at school I applied for a position as a receptionist at the local Dental Practice only to be told it was actually for an assistant and was I still interested? Silly question! Hands on training the old school way which put me in great position for further learning when our family moved to WA for a couple of years and then finally finding my way to QLD and Darrly and David.
Dentistry to me is a package of many very important parts, the precision and artistry of the actual treatment, the person behind the treatment and understanding of not only their dental needs but emotional drivers and the communication and care to put this all together. Although I now find myself not chairside but doing the behind the scenes administration I still get to talk with our patients and be confident that they are in good hands with my wonderful team.
B. App Sci (Oral Health)
“I love the professionalism and challenge at Today’s Dentistry. It is great to work at a practice that believes in quality patient care”
Founder and Principal Dentist
“I value the many loyal patient relationships that I have built over the last 25 years and enjoy witnessing the procedures I have done stand the test of time.”
B. App Sci (Oral Health)
“I have worked in Dentistry in one form or another since I was 16 years old. I love this profession and making a difference in others lives.”
B.DSc (Hons) B.Sc (Hons)
“Although I love the scientific side of dentistry, I also get a great deal of satisfaction from helping our patients and surprising them with what modern dentistry is capable of.”