How much toothpaste should you use? Too much could harm your health

It is difficult to find an advertisement that does not represent the clbadic wave-shaped toothpaste block covering the entire brush. But is it really the right amount that people should use?

Dentists point out that a quantity of fluoride toothpaste the size of a pea should suffice for a brushing session. In addition, children under three could use an even smaller amount, about the size of a grain of rice.

The message is that more dough does not mean cleaner teeth. It turns out that many of us have done too much. Take a look at the results of a new government survey: 40% of children ages 3 to 6 used a brush that was "full" or "half full" of toothpaste.

"Fluoride is a great benefit, but it should be used with care," said Dr. Mary Hayes, a Chicago-based pediatric dentist. Natural mineral would play an important role in reducing cavities.

However, exposure to too much fluoride in the formation of permanent teeth can lead to dental fluorosis, a condition characterized by discoloration or enamel stains. One of the problems with children's toothpaste is that it has a sweet taste, which means that some may be tempted to ingest it.

"You do not want them to eat like food, we want the parent to be responsible for the toothbrush and toothpaste," said Dr. Hayes, recommending parents to keep an eye on themselves. even when their children wish independence. .

Although this risk is limited to younger age groups, adults may also experience inconvenience by using excess toothpaste – that is, you lose money if you use an expensive brand.

You should take two minutes to brush your teeth and make sure you move in different directions to reach all parts of your mouth. But a large drop of dough will produce too much foam, making it difficult to brush properly and the time to do it.

"In fact, we spit most of the extra toothpaste into the sink without it touching our teeth." The excess foam fills our mouth and can also make us stop brushing our teeth more sooner than we should, "writes Dr. Christopher Chamberlin, Boulder, Colorado.

Another tip is not to brush too hard because some people mistakenly think that it could help clean teeth in less time. On the contrary, too much friction can wear teeth and hurt your gums. If you realize that you need to replace your toothbrush every two or three months, it means that you risk brushing your teeth too hard.