The best flavoured toothpaste for kids is one that contains the right amount of fluoride for their age and a flavour they genuinely enjoy, because a toothpaste your child likes is a toothpaste they'll use twice a day without a fight. Check the fluoride level (ppm) on the pack first, then let your child choose the taste.
That order matters. Flavour gets the brush into their mouth, but fluoride and good brushing do the protecting. This guide explains what to look for on the label, how the different flavours compare, and how to buy flavoured toothpaste without paying over the odds.
Why flavour matters more than you might think
Children generally prefer sweeter tastes than adults do, and some find strong mint harsh. Some describe it as "spicy" or say it burns. When the toothpaste itself is the thing they're resisting, no amount of cajoling fixes the problem.
A flavour they like changes the dynamic:
- It removes an objection. If the taste is pleasant, the argument shifts from "I don't want to" to "which one tonight?"
- It gives them ownership. Choosing their own tube makes brushing feel like theirs, not something done to them.
- It makes two minutes easier. A nice taste is easier to live with for the full brushing time.
Flavour won't solve every brushing battle on its own. If you're dealing with a full-scale bedtime standoff, our guide on how to get kids to brush their teeth has ten more tactics to try alongside it.
What to check before buying flavoured toothpaste for kids
A fun flavour is the easy part. These are the checks that matter more.
Fluoride content
Fluoride is the ingredient that helps protect teeth against decay, so it's the first thing to look for. The NHS guidance is:
- Under 3: a smear of toothpaste containing no less than 1,000ppm fluoride.
- 3 to 6: a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing more than 1,000ppm fluoride.
- Adults: toothpaste with 1,350 to 1,500ppm fluoride.
The ppm figure is printed on the pack, usually near the ingredients. If you can't find it, or you're unsure what suits your child, ask your dentist or pharmacist.
Age guidance on the pack
Some toothpastes are aimed at particular ages. Read the directions on the tube, and remember that the NHS amounts above still apply whatever the flavour.
Whitening claims
Plenty of flavoured toothpastes, including Nice Smile, are described as whitening. Whitening toothpaste works by helping remove surface stains; it doesn't change the natural colour of teeth. If you have questions about whether a particular toothpaste suits a young child, your dentist is the best person to ask.
Values that matter to your family
If you want vegan or cruelty-free products, check the label or listing. Every Nice Smile toothpaste is described on Amazon as vegan, cruelty-free and enamel-safe.
Tube size
Smaller tubes are easier for little hands and fit neatly into wash bags. Nice Smile comes in 60g tubes, which also makes it simple to keep a different flavour in each bathroom.
A flavour guide for fussy brushers
Nice Smile makes six flavours. Here's how they line up, with where you'll find each one.
| Flavour | What it tastes of | Could suit | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watermelon Fresh | Sweet watermelon, described on the listing as fresh "without harsh mint" | Kids moving away from mint | Single tube, fruity 3 pack, All Flavours 6 pack, 12 pack |
| Feelin' Grape | Grape | Grape fans | Single tube, pack of 2, fruity 3 pack, All Flavours 6 pack, 12 pack |
| Peachy Clean | Peach | Kids who like milder fruit | Fruity 3 pack, All Flavours 6 pack, 12 pack |
| Berry Burst | Berry | Fruit fans who like it sweet | Sweet 3 pack, both 6 packs |
| Yummy Gummy | Gummy bears | Sweet tooths and little brushers | Single tube, pack of 2, sweet 3 pack, both 6 packs |
| Candy Clean | Cotton candy | Kids who say every toothpaste is "too spicy" | Single tube, pack of 4, sweet 3 pack, both 6 packs |
The easiest way to find a favourite is to let your child try a few. A three-flavour pack is a low-risk way to do that, because if one flavour doesn't land, there are two more in the box.
Fruity or sweet? Two routes to try
The fruit bowl route
If your child likes fruit, start with Watermelon Fresh, Feelin' Grape and Peachy Clean, and let them brush with grape-ness. The three come together in the Nice Smile 3 Pack: Watermelon Fresh, Feelin' Grape & Peachy Clean. When we checked in September 2026 it was £12.99 on Amazon, or £4.33 per tube.
The sweet treat route
For children who want something that tastes more like the sweet shop, Yummy Gummy, Candy Clean and Berry Burst are the ones to try. Yummy Gummy is gummy bear flavoured and comes as a single tube or a pack of two, so it's an easy way to test the waters before committing to a bundle. If mint is the main problem, our guide to toothpaste for kids who hate mint goes into more detail.
How to use flavoured toothpaste safely
A toothpaste that tastes like sweets needs a bit more supervision than a minty one. The NHS advises discouraging children from eating or licking toothpaste from the tube, and a delicious flavour makes that more tempting.
- Squeeze it yourself. Put the right amount on the brush for your child's age, then put the tube away.
- Store it out of reach. A high shelf or a cupboard is safer than the edge of the sink.
- Spit, don't rinse. Encourage your child to spit out the excess but not rinse with water, so the fluoride keeps working.
- Supervise until at least 7. The NHS advises helping or watching children brush until they're at least 7 years old.
Buying flavoured toothpaste for less
Flavoured toothpaste can look pricey tube by tube, so it's worth comparing the unit price (the cost per tube) rather than the sticker price. Here's how the Nice Smile range compared when we checked in September 2026:
| Option | Price at the time of writing | Price per 60g tube |
|---|---|---|
| Yummy Gummy, single tube | £9.99 | £9.99 |
| Candy Clean, pack of 4 | £27.96 | £6.99 |
| Berry, Gummy & Candy 3 pack | £16.69 | £5.56 |
| Watermelon, Grape & Peach 3 pack | £12.99 | £4.33 |
| 6 pack, All Flavours | £21.99 | £3.66 |
| 12 pack (Watermelon, Grape, Peach) | £24.95 | £2.08 |
Prices on Amazon change, so check the current price before you buy. The pattern is clear, though: once you know which flavours your child likes, bigger bundles bring the cost per tube down. If you want to do this maths for anything in your basket, our guide to reading unit prices shows you how.
That's the idea behind PoundMart: we sell Nice Smile in bundles so families can stock up for less. You can compare every multi-pack in our bundles collection.
The bottom line
The right flavoured toothpaste for kids ticks two boxes: the correct fluoride level for their age, and a taste they look forward to. Get the first right by reading the pack, get the second right by letting your child choose, and keep an eye on the price per tube once you've found a winner. Start with a mixed pack, see which flavour becomes the favourite, then stock up.
Frequently asked questions
Is flavoured toothpaste bad for children's teeth?
No, as long as it contains the right amount of fluoride for your child's age and they use the correct amount. Toothpaste flavours don't come from sugar the way sweets do; manufacturers typically use sweeteners instead. If you want to know exactly what's in a particular toothpaste, check the ingredients list on the pack.
What age can children use flavoured toothpaste?
Children can use a flavoured toothpaste from their first tooth, provided it follows the NHS fluoride guidance: a smear with no less than 1,000ppm for under-3s, and a pea-sized amount with more than 1,000ppm for 3 to 6 year olds. Always read the directions on the pack, and ask your dentist if you're unsure.
Do kids need a special children's toothpaste?
Not necessarily. What matters most is the fluoride level and the amount used, not whether the tube says "kids" on it. Some children simply prefer a flavoured toothpaste because it's milder than a strong mint.
Can adults use flavoured toothpaste too?
Yes. Nice Smile is described as suitable for kids and adults, and some grown-ups prefer fruity flavours to mint. The NHS recommends adults use a toothpaste with 1,350 to 1,500ppm fluoride, so check the pack to make sure it suits you.
Which Nice Smile flavour should I try first?
It depends on your child. Fruit fans might start with Watermelon Fresh or Feelin' Grape, while sweet tooths may prefer Yummy Gummy or Candy Clean. A three-flavour pack lets them try several before you commit to a bigger bundle.
