Many children are overdoing it on the toothpaste a new study is reporting. Lots of parents are unwittingly squeezing potentially unhealthy amounts of toothpaste on their children's toothbrushes warns a new study.
The study, by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, states that 40% of children are using too much toothpaste on their toothbrush, Not only is this wasteful, but this can lead to fluorosis ( discolouration and pitting ) of the teeth due to excess ingestion of fluoride.
Fluoride use is one of the main factors responsible for the decline in prevalence and severity of dental caries and cavities globally. In Ireland, flouride is added to our water. Brushing children’s teeth is recommended when the first tooth erupts, as early as 6 months, and the first dental visit should occur no later than age 1 year (2–4). However, ingestion of too much fluoride while teeth are developing can result in visibly detectable changes in enamel structure such as discoloration and pitting .
A flouride toothpaste containing 1000ppm flouride is recommended for children under the age of 3. For children 3 and over, a toothpaste with 1350ppm flouride is advised. Many children describe minty toothpaste as "spicy", Dr Collins recommends Tescos strawberry icecream flavoured toothpaste as a good toothpaste which children find palatable.
If you child dislikes the taste of flavoured toothpaste, oranurse unflavoured toothpaste is an excellent substitute. It is very popular amongst autistic people who may be advserse to stong flavours.
It is recommended Children aged <3 years should use a smear the size of a rice grain, and children aged >3 years should use no more than a pea-sized amount until age 6 years, by which time the swallowing reflex has developed sufficiently to prevent inadvertent ingestion. At Northumberland Dental Care, we can advise you on the correct amount of toothpaste to use and the recommended toothpaste for the age of your child. Drop in and pay us a visit! #dentist #dentistdublin #dentistdublin4 #toothpaste #toothbrushing #childrensteeth #northumberlanddentalcare#flouride #autism#flouride