Is There Such A Thing As Too Much Toothpaste?

July 05, 2019 ABC Children's Dentistry

A vital aspect of your child’s oral care is selecting the right toothpaste. Key takeaways are choosing a toothpaste recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA) and one that contains fluoride.

However, is there such a thing as too much toothpaste?

A report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the ADA suggests that almost 40% of children between the ages of 3-6 use more toothpaste than they should.

In this issue, the San Diego child dentist experts at ABC Children’s Dentistry will explain too much toothpaste is not a good thing.

When selecting your child’s dental care home, you can reach ABC Children’s Dentistry in San Diego by calling 858-780-9794, sending an email, or reaching us online.

What’s the worst that can happen with too much toothpaste?

Using too much toothpaste can put your child’s tooth enamel at risk. The danger comes from a child’s tendency to swallow the excess toothpaste.

Doing this while their teeth are still developing can lead to fluorosis – characterized by white lines and streaking on your child’s teeth.

Fluorosis is no longer an issue when your child’s teeth emerge from the gums.

How much toothpaste should my child be using?

The CDC and the ADA recommend a pea-size amount of toothpaste for children between the ages of 3-15.

The organizations also suggest that kids use children’s toothpaste until they reach the age of 12. This is mainly because toothpastes for adults often contain whitening agents and ingredients intended for gum health, which are not usually recommended for children.