Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry Vs. Crest Spiderman 3 Toothpaste

Having the right toothpaste can take some of the struggle out of toothbrushing for children who don't enjoy it. Toothpaste that appeals to children on several different levels can help get the job done. While children will look at a particular toothpaste's packaging and consider the flavor, a parent will look at the ingredients to determine whether or not a brand is acceptable for use. Here is a comparison between Crest Spiderman 3 Toothpaste and Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry Toothpaste.

Crest Spiderman 3 Toothpaste

Packaging

The Crest Spiderman 3 Toothpaste is packaged in a 4.6 ounce bottle instead of the traditional toothpaste tube. The bottle has a flip top with a small opening for dispensing the gel toothpaste. The bottle is clear, so the blue color of the toothpaste is evident. The label has a prominent picture of Spiderman, which appeals to children who are Spiderman fans.

Flavor and Texture

The gel texture of Crest Spiderman 3 toothpaste appeals to some children. A smaller than pea-sized amount is more than enough to create lots of toothpaste suds. Some children like a lot of suds and others don't. For those that don't like suds, a tiny, almost miniscule, dot of toothpaste is sufficient.

The flavor is cool and minty. Children who like mint will be inclined to like Crest Spiderman 3 toothpaste. Children who don't like mint will probably find the flavor too strong.

Ingredients

Parents who are health conscious will be dismayed to discover that Crest Spiderman 3 toothpaste contains saccharin and the artificial color blue 1. This toothpaste also contains fluoride.

Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry

Packaging

Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry toothpaste comes in a traditional toothpaste tube. The packaging is white with blue lettering and includes a picture of a red bird. The tube is opaque, so the color of the toothpaste is not visible. The understated packaging does not catch the attention of most children.

Flavor and Texture

Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry has a creamy consistency. The toothpaste is a light pink color, which would appeal to some children. Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry, like the Crest Spiderman 3 toothpaste, produces lots of suds. Again, children who don't like profuse toothpaste suds need to use a tiny amount.

The flavor is a light, strawberry flavor, similar to natural strawberry ice cream. It is not over-powering and not overly sweet. Children who don't like strong mint-flavored toothpastes will find this flavor refreshing.

Ingredients

Toms of Maine Silly Strawberry is sweetened with natural strawberry oils. It contains no artificial sweeteners, colors or flavors. This toothpaste contains fluoride, but is also available in a fluoride-free formula.

Verdict

For parents that are uncomfortable with their children using products with artificial sweeteners, colors and flavors, even in small amounts, Toms of Maine Silly Strawberry is the winner. This toothpaste tastes good to most children and gets the toothbrushing job done. Those that aren't concerned with the artificial ingredients of the Crest Spiderman 3 toothpaste may prefer it, if it helps motivate their child to brush his teeth.

Sources:

Crest Spiderman 3 Toothpaste Bottle

Tom's of Maine website