Unless you ’re a fan of bad intimation and gum disease , brushing your teeth is one of the most important habit you ’ll cull up as a kid . However , according to recent research by theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC ) , many children in the US are doing it wrong .
The new subject area looked at the tooth - clean habit of kids and teenagers across the US . Out of the 5,157 children in the cogitation , nearly 40 per centum of those aged 3 to 6 eld were using mode too much toothpaste .
You might conceive too much toothpaste is better than too little , but the CDC warns that tiddler using adult - sized toothpaste portions comes with its own perils . The main problem is ingesting too much fluoride while the tooth are still germinate . This can lead to a lack of mineralization of the tooth ’s enamel sleep with as “ fluorosis ” , which can cause discoloration of the teeth and an unpleasant dappled appearance .
Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical found in food , drinking water , and toothpaste that help to abbreviate the incidence of tooth decay . Fluoride also replaces lost mineral in dentition to help make them tough . It ’s a veritable target area for misguided and often bizarre conspiracy theories , but its negatively charged effects are often overstated .
In this case , overdoing the fluoride is mainly a cosmetic problem .
“ Fluoride is a wonderful benefit but it demand to be used cautiously , ” Dr Mary Hayes , a pediatric dentist in Chicago , toldThe Associated Press .
The survey also found that over a third , 34.2 percent , of the children senesce 3 to 15 age old only sweep their teeth once a daylight , not the recommended doubly a day . brush your teeth might not be the most fun two arcminute of your day , however , it ’s always worth have that tiny bit of effort tobrush twice a day , not just once .
The new enquiry also bring up some new guidance for parents . First of all , it ’s worth manage your kids , specially when they are just starting to brush their teeth . consort to the CDC , children maturate 3 and under should only use “ a smear the sizing of a Elmer Rice cereal ” , while kids between the age of 3 and 6 should use no more than a pea - sized amount . The CDC also recommends parent do not introduce their children to fluoride toothpaste until they turn 2 .
“ You do n’t want them eat it like food , ” Dr Hayes added . “ We want the parent to be in tutelage of the toothbrush and the toothpaste . ”
