How Much Toothpaste Should You Use?

51

Toothbrush and toothpaste commercials typically show a plump swish of toothpaste across the top of the bristles, but how much toothpaste should you use? It turns out you only need a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. Young children should use even less, or about a smear of toothpaste.

It’s possible to use too much toothpaste, especially among children. Ingesting too much fluoride may cause dental fluorosis, or discoloration and pits in developing teeth. Adults may experience nausea and vomiting if they consume excess fluoride.

It’s not necessarily better to use a lot of toothpaste, but it’s important to use enough to brush your teeth for two minutes. You may increase your risk of cavities and tooth decay if you do not thoroughly clean your teeth. Read on to learn more about how much toothpaste they should use and ways to maintain oral health.

How Much Toothpaste Do You Need To Brush Your Teeth? 

You might see commercials that show toothpaste covering all the bristles on a toothbrush. You really need a pea-sized amount. This amount is usually written on the toothpaste packaging. Children, in contrast, need less toothpaste than this.

Adults 

It’s important to use enough toothpaste to last two minutes, which is how long the American Dental Association (ADA) advises you to brush for. The recommended amount of toothpaste for adults is about the size of a pea on a soft bristle or electric toothbrush.

Children

Children can use fluoride toothpaste, but it’s important to do so in safe amounts. Experts say to use no more than a smear of toothpaste. That’s to ensure they do not accidentally swallow a lot of fluoride toothpaste, which isn’t supposed to be ingested. 

Using more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste poses the most significant risk to children who have not yet developed adult teeth. Fluoride can cause dental fluorosis on developing teeth when ingested in large amounts. The cosmetic implications range from mild discoloration to yellow and brown stains and obvious pits in the teeth.

What Happens if You Use Too Much or Too Little?

It’s important to not use too much toothpaste to avoid swallowing it. Swallowing a small amount of toothpaste is typically safe. Ingesting too much fluoride, in contrast, can cause nausea and vomiting.

Using too little toothpaste can be just as bad as using too much for adults. Using too little toothpaste, for example, does not create enough bubbles to help clean your teeth. Your teeth also will not get the full protective benefits of fluoride. Research has found that the right concentration of fluoride toothpaste—not too much and not too little—prevents cavities. Toothpaste with negligible levels of fluoride does not.

Spit out the excess toothpaste, and do not rinse your mouth with water after you brush your teeth. This allows the fluoride in the toothpaste time to act on your teeth.

How To Choose the Right Toothpaste

There are several types of toothpaste, which generally contain the same ingredients but have additives for different uses. Choosing the right toothpaste depends on your oral health goals, such as:

• Getting rid of plaque: Certain types of toothpaste protect against plaque, or a film containing bacteria that coats your teeth. Plaque can lead to gingivitis (gum disease).
• Preventing tooth decay: Look for toothpaste that contains fluoride to prevent cavities and strengthen tooth enamel.
• Treating sensitive teeth: Desensitizing toothpaste can decrease tooth sensitivity, which can cause pain.
• Whitening your teeth: Certain chemicals in toothpaste can remove stains to brighten your teeth.

Look for the ADA seal, no matter what type of toothpaste you purchase. This seal ensures that the toothpaste is safe and effective.

Oral Health Tips

There are several steps you can take to improve and maintain oral health in addition to brushing your teeth. Here are some tips for healthy teeth and gums:

• Do not smoke.
• Eat a nutrient-rich diet, and limit sweet foods and drinks.
• Floss after brushing your teeth about once per day.
• Make sure you clean dental appliances, such as dentures and retainers, regularly.
• Opt for a fluoride toothpaste to protect against cavities and tooth decay.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush your teeth for at least two minutes, two times per day.
• Visit a dentist every six months for a check-up.

Use mouthwash if you cannot reach areas inside your mouth that are hard to get with a toothbrush. Opt for a mouthwash that contains fluoride at a different time from brushing. This helps increase the amount of fluoride exposure and remineralizes your teeth. Do not give mouthwash to children younger than 6.

A Quick Review

You might be using too much toothpaste when you brush. You only need a pea-sized amount instead of a full sweep across the bristles. Children between the ages of 6 months (when they get their first tooth) and 3 years need even less than that. Make sure to use toothpaste with fluoride to help prevent cavities.