How Much Toothpaste Do I Need to Use?

We’ve all seen Ladysmith dental toothpaste advertisements in which a joyful, smiling person squeezes a good amount of toothpaste onto their brush, displaying a distinctive swirl of colored paste or gel. Those advertisements often make people believe that the amount of paste on the brush is the amount required to achieve the same sparkling whiteness as the actors in the commercial.  

But, in reality, those commercial depictions aren’t entirely realistic. In fact, if you’ve been judging how much paste to apply based on advertising, you’re definitely overdoing it. 

How to Apply Toothpaste

Recommendation for Toddlers

Most dentists recommend using a tiny bit of toothpaste for babies, about the size of a grain of rice. Because babies can’t always spit out their toothpaste, they’re more likely to swallow fluoride, which can cause gastrointestinal problems.  

For babies and toddlers, another option is to brush with fluoride-free toothpaste. However, this does not provide the same level of protection as brushing with fluoridated toothpaste and is not the preferred technique of brushing. 

Recommendation for Adults

The quantity we’ve been taught to use on television is just too much for adults. In fact, according to dental professionals, all adults need to clean their teeth is a pea-sized drop of toothpaste. Why is it so little? Isn’t more, after all, better? According to experts, this is not the case because the more paste we apply, the cleaner our teeth become. While this may not appear to be a bad thing, too much fluoride can be abrasive and lead to brittle and thin teeth. 

Get More Ladysmith Dental Tips

The cost savings are, of course, another advantage of using less paste. When you use less paste, your tube of toothpaste lasts longer and goes further, which saves you money—and who doesn’t like saving money? 

So, the next time you reach for the toothpaste, keep in mind that if you’re an adult, only a pea-sized amount is enough to get your teeth sparkling white. Contact us for more dental care and cost-saving tips.