DS hates the taste of toothpaste!!

My DS has always been a bugger with brushing his teeth. Haaaaates it 99% of the time. Before we could communicate 'properly' he used to just cry, and push my hand away. I've tried all the tricks in the book (I think!). So the other day he says to me, 'no mummy, it's yucky!!'. I always thought he hated brushing his teeth, now I know he hates the taste of it. We've tried the supermarket brands (there are mainly 2 anyway). Every time I put that brush in his mouth he asks for a drink straight away. My question is, is there anything out there that you might have tried that doesn't taste like the regular toothpaste? Obviously flouride is very important, but I'm at my wits end. I don't think his teeth are the best as we haven't been properly brushing for 3 years!! They look clean but I think I can see some tarter in there :(

I used to use Jack & Jill toothpaste when I was little. They still make it and it comes in loads of different flavours like banana, strawberry etc but it is fluoride free.

We use Jack and Jill too. It's all natural (ok to swallow of they can't spit yet) and comes in great flavours. It's actually the only way we can get DD to brush her teeth, and she keeps asking for more toothpaste lol.

Thanks ladies, I actually googled and found Jack & Jill too, but do you think it's OK that it doesn't have the flouride? Does it have to have it?

I'm not sure actually. Doesn't our water now have flouride in it anyway?

Yes the water does have it and he does drink enough if it :) I think I will order the toothpaste, it's such a fight every.single. night! Thanks ladies :)

There are toddler toothpastes you can get at the supermarket that have fruity flavors instead of minty ones. Have a look next time you're there.

We have the opposite problem to you here ... my boys will actually suck the toothpaste straight from the tube if they get a chance. Drives me nuts, not to mention having to buy new tubes of toothpaste all the time!

Good luck!

Marydean, I've looked in IGA, Coles and Safeway and can only find the minty ones. I've found the colgate and mcleans, where do they sell the fruity ones?

Andie, that is so funny! I have heard of kids eating toothpaste lol. Don't their tummies get sore?

Oral B make a berry flavoured one it has pooh bear on it

Macleans 'Milk Teeth' toothpaste with the wiggles picture on it doesn't have minty flavour. I've bought it from Coles in SA.

Fluoride isn't important, me or the kids don't use fluoride toothpaste. There is a Jack n Jill brand that is organic for kids you can buy online and comes in variety of flavours.

And the reason they have a kids toothpaste is so its lower in fluoride as kids eat it and fluoride is toxic.

Fluoride is important IMO but your DS should get enough from water if your supply has it in as part of the government program.

If you are concerned about not getting enough fluoride, then I would talk to the dentist. You can get supplements from the chemist if needed.

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Andie, that is so funny! I have heard of kids eating toothpaste lol. Don't their tummies get sore?

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LOL. Apparently not. I've taken to hiding the toothpaste so they don't get to it first :)

We use a brand called snappy jaws. You can buy it at healthy life which is a health food shop. We have one in most westfields.

I've know ppl who uses only bicarbonate soda as toothpaste. And in fact when I was young I remember my grandfather using charcoal to clean his teeth. (Not suggesting that for your son) but maybe google bicarb as toothpaste.

We get one from woolworths called milk toothy pegs is kind of lemon flavor, no fluoride in it but as pp said we have in water and I figure is better than no toothpaste at all. I don't really like mint either but tolerate toothpaste but that is only mint thing I 'eat' so I sympathise with them (and use tge milk toothy pegs myself occasionally ).

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Yes the water does have it and he does drink enough if it :) I think I will order the toothpaste, it's such a fight every.single. night! Thanks ladies :)

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Not sure where you are in Melbourne but I have purchased Jack n Jill toothpaste from the Parenthood shop in Malvern

We use Jack and Jill too. I got it specifically because it's fluoride free.

The pooh near one is fruity but I can't remember any of the other brands.

Wow thanks so much everyone! I must be going to the wrong supermarkets lol, mind you I haven't looked in the health section for the alternatives. I've ordered the Jack n' Jill in the banana flavour, so very excited about that. Tonight again my DS was crying, no mummy it's yuck!' poor poppet, and it was his birthday too. I made him cry again and that was the last thing I wanted to do :(

They aren't in supermarkets, I get the berry one from the chemist next door to the supermarket *sigh*

we use Jack and Jill as well...you can get it from most health food stores these days as it is very popular. Go Vita stores for sure stock it. I think you are SE Melb? If so the health food store at Southland would have it for sure.

We use Allfree, which doesn't contiain flouride or any kinds of flavouring etc and suitable for people on elimination diets or with allergies or what have you. It tastes pretty much like nothing.
got it from one of the big chemists

I'm so glad I've posted ladies as I had no idea that there were alternative 'tastes'! Will try the Jack n'Jill one when it comes but then I'll be sure the check out the health food places if I need to.

Mel, thanks hun, I practically 'live' at Southland! lol.