Non-flavoured and non-foaming toothpaste
Overview
Many toothpastes foam up when you brush, and this is because of an ingredient called Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). For children with sensory sensitivities, this foaming can be uncomfortable. If your child does not like traditional mint toothpaste, consider choosing one with a different flavour or even one with no flavour at all. Often, toothpastes that are SLS-free are milder in flavour.
Recommended by parents
OraNurse toothpaste is the most common. It’s specially made for people with sensory issues, doesn’t foam, and has no flavour. OraLieve is a non-foaming toothpaste that is gentle on the mouth. Sensodyne also has options without SLS and is known for its gentle flavour. Biotene also provides non-foaming toothpaste. Parents have told us that they often have to buy OraNurse. The toothPASTE team knows that non-foaming toothpaste can be expensive, so here are some tips to find the best price.
If you Google “SLS free toothpastes,” you’ll find lots of options. Most of these have mild flavours because they are also used for people with recurrent oral ulceration and those with dry mouths.​​
What to look out for​
If the toothpaste contains the correct amount of fluoride, then it is ok to use. We recommend children should use fluoride toothpaste that contains between 1350-1500 ppm F-. This is the strength found in most regular ‘adult’ toothpastes.
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For some autistic children, non-flavoured and non-foaming toothpaste can be useful if:
Your child is sensitive to strong flavours
For many autistic children, the mint flavour of toothpaste is too strong. Many complain of a burning or stinging sensation. Many toothpastes are available with either less of a mint taste or a different flavour altogether. This type of toothpaste has been designed to be mild flavour or flavour-free. These types of toothpaste can offer a gentle introduction to toothbrushing, reducing the potential for discomfort, pain and sensory overload.
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There are also flavoured toothpaste described above that may helpful if your child prefers milder flavours.
Your child does not like the foaminess of the toothpaste​
This is because this toothpaste is Sodium-Laurel-Sulphate (Sulfate) free. Sodium-Laurel-Sulphate (Sulfate) causes the foaminess of the toothpaste. You might find your child prefers toothpaste such as OraNurse because it does not foam in the mouth.​​​​​​
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Your child does not like the look of their toothpaste
Some children have told us they do not like the look of their toothpaste when it ‘bubbles’. Some toothpaste such as OraNurse contains no artificial colours and does not foam.
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How to apply toothpaste
Here’s a visual guide from Mini Mouth Care Matters on how to apply toothpaste correctly. For the full guide click here or on the image.
