Melaleuca Koala Pals Berrylicious Tooth Gel Versus Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry Toothpaste

The best toothpastes that I have found are the toothpastes manufactured by Melaleuca with tea tree oil. The close second, in my opinion, are the toothpastes created by Tom's of Maine.

For children's toothpaste, Melaleuca Koala Pals Berrylicious Tooth Gel with Fluoride is favored by my children in taste over Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry and Outrageous Orange-Mango. Tom's also offers Silly Strawberry without fluoride utilizing calcium and silica for cleansing.

My children prefer Melaleuca's Berrylicious over Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry in flavor. They note that Berrylicious is good because it is not too sweet. Berrylicious has more of a gel texture. It is accurately described as abrasive-free and sweetened with xylitol. Silly Strawberry has more of a creamy, chalky texture, which must come from the calcium and silica that are used to clean the teeth.

Both Melaleuca and Tom's of Maine offer children's toothpastes with and without fluoride. Melaleuca's Berrylicious has fluoride. Melaleuca's training toothpaste without fluoride is flavored like apples and includes the Melaleuca oil.

There are some people who have concerns about giving their children fluoride because it can be toxic in large amounts. Do not let your child eat the toothpaste. This is why medical professionals recommend that children under 2 do not brush their teeth with fluoride toothpaste or use a mouthwash. They could potentially swallow too much fluoride. A lethal dose for a 3-year-old is 500 mg, according to WebMD. Information suggesting lethal doses through the use of toothpaste or mouthwash was not found with a cursory search of the National Institutes of Health or Center for Disease Controls. This is also why Melaleuca and Tom's of Maine offer toothpaste with and without fluoride.

In 2004 in the United States, the American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 24,180 exposures to fluoride involving toothpaste. Almost 22,000 of these exposures were children under 6. These statistics indicate you may want to use either Melaleuca's or Tom of Maine's fluoride-free toothpastes for children under 6. My children prefer the Melaleuca flavors.

Of the total fluoride incidents reported, 440 were treated in an emergency room. There were no deaths reported. In 2002, there was one death reported from the ingestion of fluoride toothpaste, according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers.

Fluoride is an important consideration in my household because we live in East Hawaii without public water, so our children do not get fluoride through their drinking water. I am aware of the concerns and criticisms surrounding the fluoride debate in terms of its safety and its suggested link to reduced cognitive abilities in children. However, having lived in a community without fluorinated water, I have seen an inordinate amount of rotten teeth and have chosen to accept fluoride, in safe doses, for my children. Melaleuca is also convenient because I have it automatically shipped to my remote home on a monthly basis.

On the pro side of the fluoride discussion, the FDA cites studies that say fluoride reduces cavities. Fluoride is reported as safe and effective when used appropriately. Fluoride reduces cavity because it makes the teeth stronger, which makes them more resistant to acid, which is formed when the bacteria in plaque breakdown sugars and carbohydrates. Fluoride can also repair spots where acid attacks have begun. The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs has approved Tom's of Maine's natural fluoride formula, according to the Tom's of Maine web site.

Fluoride can be taken through toothpaste and mouthwash, or it can be taken through water fluoridation or supplements. The American Dental Association recommends that children 2 and older and adults use toothpaste with fluoride.

Melaleuca's Berrylicious with fluoride is sweetened with xylitol, a sugar substitute extracted from corn fiber or other fruit and vegetable fibers. It is described as a tooth friendly sweetener because it does not promote tooth decay, according to an article in the International Dental Journal. Tom's of Maine's Silly Strawberry is flavored with fruit extracts and other natural flavors.

Both Melaleuca and Tom's of Maine are companies with integrity. Both produce products with products that are seemingly the safest and most beneficial to the consumers' health. Both companies also recognize parents' desire for both fluoride and non-fluoride options. Tom's of Maine's products may be a bit more pure, but in the end, I recommend Melaleuca toothpastes over Tom's of Maine for their flavor, texture and effectiveness. My children also prefer the Melaleuca flavors over the Tom's of Maine flavors.