According to the Spanish Society of Paediatric Dentistry, up to age 6 toothpaste should contain 1,000 ppm fluoride: an amount the size of a grain of rice up to age 3 and the size of a pea from 3 to 6. From age 6, 1,450 ppm is recommended, also a pea-sized amount. Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day, and the bedtime brush is the most important.
Why Your Child's Toothpaste Should Contain Fluoride
Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps stop decay in its early stages. It's the measure with the strongest scientific evidence for preventing tooth decay in children.
Used in the right amount, it's safe. The risk of fluorosis, white marks on the enamel, arises if a child regularly swallows a lot of toothpaste. That's why the amount matters so much.
How Much Fluoride and How Much Toothpaste by Age
| Age | Fluoride | Amount of toothpaste |
|---|---|---|
| From the first tooth to age 3 | 1,000 ppm | A grain of rice |
| Ages 3 to 6 | 1,000 ppm | A pea |
| Over 6 | 1,450 ppm | A pea |
Source: recommendations of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Dentistry (SEOP) on the use of fluoride compounds.
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How to Read the Label
Look on the packaging for the word fluoride or fluorine and a figure in ppm (parts per million). It may appear as sodium fluoride, sodium monofluorophosphate or stannous fluoride. If the toothpaste doesn't state the ppm, choose a different one.
Be wary of children's toothpastes with very little fluoride (for example, 500 ppm): they offer less protection against decay.
What About Fluoride-Free Toothpaste?
Fluoride-free toothpastes, even if marketed as natural, don't prevent decay in the same way. They aren't recommended for children unless a paediatric dentist specifically advises it.
When Can They Brush on Their Own
Until around age 7-8, children don't have the skill to brush properly on their own. They can start, but an adult should supervise and go over it again, especially at bedtime.
- Brush for about 2 minutes.
- Spit out the excess toothpaste without rinsing with water.
- Don't eat or drink anything (except water) after brushing at bedtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my child swallows the toothpaste?
With the recommended amount (a grain of rice or a pea) it's not a problem if they swallow it now and then. What you need to avoid is them eating toothpaste from the tube.
Should they rinse after brushing?
No. Ideally they should spit out the excess without rinsing, so the fluoride keeps working on the teeth.
Is adult toothpaste suitable?
From age 6, a 1,450 ppm toothpaste is suitable. Before that, a 1,000 ppm toothpaste in the recommended amount is better.
Have questions about your child’s dental health?
Come and meet us at our clinics in Terrassa, Girona, Torrent and Vic. Your first visit is free.
