Are your kids using too much toothpaste?

Are your kids using too much toothpaste?

You should be paying attention to how much toothpaste your kids are using, as too much toothpaste can be bad for their oral health.

When it comes to using toothpaste “Less is More” for both adults and children. This is even more applicable to children, as their teeth are developing. 

Risks of using too much toothpaste

Most toothpastes contain fluoride, a substance that helps strengthen teeth and plays a significant role in reducing cavities. Fluoride provides a wonderful benefit, but it needs to be used carefully.

If your children ingest too much fluoride while their adult teeth are being formed, they can develop a condition called “dental fluorosis”.

Fluoride in too high concentration messes up with the natural mineral composition of developing teeth and can cause white marks and discolouration of teeth. Those with dental fluorosis are more susceptible to decay and breakdown.

Parental vigilance is the key to preventing fluorosis.

How much toothpaste should children use?

This depends on their age.

• Kids under 18 months old: no toothpaste should be used.
• From 18 months to 3 years: start using a smear of low-fluoride toothpaste, the size of a grain of rice.
• From 3 to 6 years: use no more than a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste.
• Over the age 7: can switch to a pea-sized amount of standard tooth paste.

Other Tips

• Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste after brushing instead of swallowing it.
• To encourage spitting, avoid flavoured toothpastes that children are more likely to swallow.