Toothpaste also contributes to general oral hygiene and a sense of well-being. A clean mouth eliminates bad odours and many people like the fresh taste that using toothpaste gives. Most people will not experience difficulty using toothpaste, but occasionally problems occur. Over-use of toothpaste can lead to excessive abrasion of the teeth, which may become noticeable if the dental enamel is worn down. In most cases, your dentist, dental therapist or hygienist will notice this and point it out, if it applies to you.
Some small children swallow toothpaste.
This should be avoided, because the fluoride in toothpaste is absorbed by the body and can contribute to a condition known as dental fluorosis, in which fine white lines are visible in dental enamel. Although the teeth are not weakened, sometimes the white lines are unsightly. To avoid this problem, a small child should use a pea-sized amount of low fluoride toothpaste and should be encouraged to rinse under supervision. We advise you to choose a toothpaste with low fluoride concentration for a child under 6 years of age. Fluoride toothpaste, used properly, helps prevent dental decay in small children, so it is not a good idea to avoid fluoride toothpastes.