Fluoride Toothpaste & Ingestion...Be Careful What You Swallow!
All of America realizes the benefit water fluoridation and topical fluoride has had on the prevention of tooth decay in children and teens. Because of its use, caries in children is almost non-existent. Water fluoridation allows optimal fluoride ingestion to occur and become a part of the enamel’s structure during the tooth’s development and formation. This strengthens and hardens the enamel so that it is more resistant to the acids of tooth decay. However, we must be careful not to allow the ingestion of other sources of fluoride that are designed for topical application to the teeth, such as fluoridated toothpaste or mouth rinses. Too much fluoride, ingested during the time that the teeth are developing, may cause enamel mottling or white spots on the permanent teeth.
Please supervise your children’s tooth brushing and make sure no more than a pea size amount of toothpaste is used. Make certain that they are not swallowing large amounts of toothpaste or fluoride rinses. Unfortunately, manufacturers are making their products taste too good and children often have a tendency to swallow it. In very young children, I would recommend not even using toothpaste (or use an extremely small amount and smear it on the brush) until they are able to understand why it is not good to swallow it.
