Use of fluoridated toothpastes is the most common method of reducing dental caries. Use of fluoridated toothpaste and toothbrush serves two important roles- (i) to deliver fluoride on the tooth surface (ii) mechanical action of toothbrush bristles clean the tooth surface.

Fluoridated toothpaste can be introduced at 3 years of age. Although fluoride ingestion is a concern for this age group, during this time, most children develop the skills to expectorate toothpaste adequately. In children less than 3 years old, the fluoride ingested is upto 50% applied on the toothbrush, which is a cause of concern(1). Until the child learns to expectorate efficiently, it is important for parents to supervise their child’s brushing. Other advocate the use of a smear of fluoridated toothpaste for children less than two years and a pea size amount for children 2-5 years(2). Few studies have documented the use of fluoride toothpastes in the form of smear in children less than 3 years old. But wide consensus for fluoride toothpastes use in this age group has not been achieved(2-4).

1. Richards A, Banting DW. Fluoride toothpastes. In: Fejerskov O, Ekstrand J, Burt BA editors. Fluoride in dentistry. 2nd ed. Copenhagen: Munksguard; 1996. p. 328-346.