Mint flavoured toothpaste
Overview
Most toothpastes you see in shops are mint flavoured. Not all autistic children find mint a problem- some might even like it, especially if they enjoy strong tastes.
There are also adult toothpastes that come in different colours and flavours, and it’s safe for children to use them if you use the right amount:
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For children aged 0–3: Use just a small smear of toothpaste.
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For children aged 3 and up: Use a pea-sized amount.
What to look out for
It’s important to use toothpaste with the right amount of fluoride to help protect teeth. Check the label on the tube, it should say 1350 to 1500 ppm fluoride (most adult toothpastes have this). If the fluoride level is right, the toothpaste is safe to use for both children and adults. Make sure to watch your child while they brush, to help them use the right amount and to make sure they don’t swallow the toothpaste like food.
For some autistic children this toothpaste can be useful if:
Your child likes the cooling sensation of mint and enjoys spicy flavours
Some children prefer mint flavour toothpaste. Children have told us that this makes their teeth feel fresh and clean. Some mint toothpaste can be stronger in taste such as 'Colgate MaxFresh', milder forms of mint flavoured toothpaste such as ‘Sensodyne’ or ‘Macleans’ are also available.
You want a familiar and widely available toothpaste
You may find that using toothpaste that contains mint flavour can minimise disruptions caused by switching products. This is especially for children who may prefer routine or predictability. Early exposure can help your child get used to the toothpaste’s smell, texture and taste. This can help when they grow older as this type of toothpaste is readily available. However, it’s fine to use food-flavoured toothpaste if it contains the right amount of fluoride (see above).
Your child likes the grittiness of toothpaste for sensory feedback
Some children may find the grittiness of toothpaste appealing as it provides provides extra texture and sensory feedback during brushing making it more tolerable or enjoyable. Toothpaste such as Oral B Pro-Expert have this type of texture. See below for more information on this type of toothpaste.
Your family includes more than one child
Using the same toothpaste for everyone can help simplify the routine and the need for more than one product. Using the same toothpaste for all can also help reduce the costs of buying more than one or a non-foaming non-flavourless toothpaste.
How to apply toothpaste
Here’s a visual guide from Mini Mouth Care Matters on how to apply toothpaste correctly. This is part of a wider set of resources for professionals working in Special Education Settings. Further information is available here.
Key messages
Watch again
Jump straight to what parents and early years professionals have said about different types of toothpaste.
