A lot of parents are given mixed information from family and friends about children’s toothpaste. How much is too much to put on the toothbrush? Should we brush with or without fluoride? Does my child’s ability to spit affect the type of toothpaste we use? All great questions.
Recently, children’s toothpaste guidelines changed according to both the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. They used to recommend using a non-fluoridated toothpaste for children unable to spit. Once a child was able to spit well, the parent could then switch to fluoridated toothpaste. But…times have changed!
The new guidelines recommend that all children can use fluoridated toothpaste, even if they are unable to spit!!! For a child that can’t spit, you want to brush with fluoridated toothpaste, but only using a thin smear, equivalent to the size of a grain of rice. For a child that can spit, use the amount of fluoridated toothpaste equivalent to the size of a pea drop.
Hope this clears some confusion up!
Happy brushing!!