Consuming too much food can be a problem. Spending too much money can be a problem. Driving too fast can be a problem. Can using too much toothpaste be a problem?
TOOTHPASTE AND CHILDREN
Good oral hygiene habits will benefit children for a long time. It is a good thing that we teach our children to properly brush their teeth. Most toothpastes contain fluoride. Strengthening teeth and preventing tooth decay, fluoride helps decrease the number of cavities. However, if young children swallow too much fluoride while their adult teeth are still forming, they can develop problems. Dental fluorosis is a condition in which high concentrations of fluoride mix with other minerals responsible for developing teeth in children. If too much fluoride outweighs these minerals, the teeth can become stained. The quality of the tooth’s surface can also be affected.
TOOTHPASTE AND ADULTS
It seems that adults don’t need to worry about using too much toothpaste. As adult teeth are not developing, fluoride concentrations are not a problem. Generally, adults are not swallowing fluoride. This helpful habit reduces the risk of systemic problems with the overconsumption of fluoride. We could summarize it like this, adults who use too much toothpaste are just wasting it. Using more than a pea sized amount of toothpaste on an adult toothbrush is wasting your money and wasting your time as you will have to go to the store more often to purchase your next tube.
We provide top quality care to both children and adults on a daily basis. We help people understand the best practices for good oral hygiene. At your routine cleaning and checkup, we can demonstrate how to brush your teeth and use your toothpaste. We look forward to answering your questions and helping you to make good decisions toward a bright future.
