Mélanie Gomez // Photo credit: PATRICK PLEUL / dpa-Zentralbild / dpa Picture-Alliance
According to a German study, parents put too much toothpaste on the toothbrushes of their two-year-old children. According to records, the doses applied are at least six times higher than those recommended. A dangerous overdose, while the fluoride present in the material, can be harmful to toddlers’ teeth.
What if we shouldn’t put too much toothpaste on our children’s toothbrushes? A German study published at the end of January reveals that parents are heavy-handed with toothpaste when brushing their little ones’ teeth. In this study, carried out in five German nurseries, scientists asked parents to put the usual dose of toothpaste on a toothbrush for their child under two years old.
Result: they were all in excess, with doses at least six times higher than the recommendations. Problem is, these toothpastes contain fluoride, a substance which, in too large quantities, can be harmful. “The main risk of excess fluoride is dental fluorosis. It appears in the early stages of childhood with white spots on the surface of the teeth and in the most severe forms, we can have spots yellow, even brown, with destruction of the enamel.”, explains at the microphone of Europe 1, Christophe Lequart, dental surgeon and spokesperson for the French Union for Oral Health (UFSBD).
Brushing twice a day
“The right dose of toothpaste is a trace or a grain of rice until the age of 2 and at the age of 3, we will put the equivalent of a pea,” continues he, before adding that it is nevertheless necessary to have fluoride in toothpastes, in order to prevent the appearance of cavities.
It is recommended that parents use this equivalent of a pea-sized amount of toothpaste each time they brush, up to 6 years old. Once reached this age, children can also use adult products. Finally, dentists now recommend brushing twice a day and not three times as before, for at least two minutes each time.