ARE YOU USING TOO MUCH TOOTHPASTE?

Brushing your teeth? You don’t need to squeeze a ribbon of toothpaste along the length of your toothbrush, just a pea-sized amount is plenty. Young children under 3 should use even less, about the size of a rice grain.

According to the Australian Dental Association, less is more for both adults and children when it comes to brushing your pearly whites.

Most toothpastes contain fluoride, a substance that helps strengthen teeth and prevent tooth decay. But if young children ingest too much fluoride while their adult teeth are still forming, they can develop dental fluorosis which causes white streaks or stains on their teeth.

Adults are not at risk of fluorosis, but still only a dab of toothpaste is enough to properly clean teeth, dentists say.  Using more is simply wasteful; when used properly, a tube of toothpaste can last much longer.

We tend to overuse toothpaste because we’re guided by advertisements that show toothpaste covering all the bristles on the toothbrush. Such liberal use of toothpaste is not necessary.

Brushing our teeth with a paste makes our mouth feel fresh and clean, but toothpaste is not necessary to make your teeth clean or healthy, some dentists say.  “While toothpaste manufacturers claim that you need toothpaste to brush your teeth, it’s not true,” writes Dr Todd Bertman of New York’s Advanced Dental Arts.

The real act of cleaning your teeth is achieved with the toothbrush, not the toothpaste, says Grand Street Dental in its blog. Using a soft-bristled brush and practising proper brushing techniques is enough to remove the plaque from your teeth. Combined with regular flossing, limiting sugary food and drinks, and having routine dentist appointments, your teeth will stay clean and healthy.

But there’s no harm in using a toothpaste if you still want to. Just remember, a pea-sized amount is enough.