Is my toddler allergic to toothpaste?

Hi, Jill Wheatcroft here,
Thank you for your question ‘Is my toddler allergic to toothpaste? she gets very flushed and her cheeks get blotchy. If she is what should I do?’
It is possible for children to be allergic to practically anything including toothpaste, that being said, toothpaste allergies are rare and the signs will vary as to which ingredient a child is allergic to and how severe the reaction is. The most common reported reaction is cheilitis a form of severe chapped lips accompanied by a rash around the mouth.
It difficult to say if this is what is happening to your child as the symptoms seem to just be on the cheeks which could indicate that it is a reaction to something else however it could be toothpaste so the first step is to stop using the current brand and switch to a different one. 
There is very little written or researched about this particular allergy in children it seems to be focusing more on adults with bad reactions.   There appears to be an indication of people being allergic to the flavouring in the toothpaste as opposed to an active ingredient in the composition of the paste.  However there is a first time for everything. 
The general advice is to try different types of tooth paste with as few additives as possible. With children up to the age of 3 years, it is recommended they brush their teeth twice a day, using a Fluoride toothpaste with 1350ppm to 1500ppm. They should only use a small smear of toothpaste and must be supervised so they do not eat the rest of the tube of toothpaste or use a lot in one almighty blob on their brush. Dentists are of course a great resource for advice and information.
As with any allergic reaction if a change of toothpaste does not help or symptoms are getting worse then make an appointment to see your GP who may recommend allergy testing.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Jill Wheatcroft 
Riverside Cares
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