How Much Toothpaste Should I Use?

Since childhood, we were told every day to brush our teeth at least twice a day. We go to the dentist for our cleanings, fillings and when we need a tooth pulled and he/she asks us if we brush regularly. Most suggestions say that you need to brush your teeth at least two-three times each day, but also recommend you brush after each time you eat (although there are foods like apples that help to clean your teeth too)! So, when someone poses the question, "How much toothpaste should I be using?", it makes sense.

It makes sense because when we see television commercials for toothpaste brands the actors heap on a huge pile of paste covering the entire top of their toothbrush. Using that much three times a day is sure to make you buy a new tube of that cleansing mouth cleaner every week. Needless to say, you do not need that much. Most toothpaste containers also warn of poison if "more than needed for brushing teeth is swallowed", but they do not tell you how much that is either. And isn't it scary to think something you are putting in your mouth could poison you even though it is meant to be put in your mouth?

I, personally, buy a new tube of toothpaste about every other month. Upon research I found that the amount I use each time I brush is the recommended amount by most sources. That amount would be about the size of a pea. Does not seem like much when you think about it, but it is plenty to foam up and spread out once you start brushing. Any more than a pea-sized drop is a waste. And if you do swallow some of your toothpaste, don't fret, a little will not hurt you. Now, eating the whole tube would be another story. And this rule of the pea also works well for children. They definitely need no more than a small amount of paste for cleaning their little chompers.

With a wide variety of toothpaste types out there you may wonder if the rule of the pea works for all of them. It sure does. Whether you are using something plain just to clean your teeth or something especially for whitening your teeth, just one pea-sized drop will do the job. This is one case where more does not mean better. More toothpaste is just a waste, and possibly harmful. The less you use the better. And since you are brushing numerous times a day (if you brush after every time you eat you will fight off more plaque and germs than only doing it three times a day) the lesser amount really makes no difference.

Sources:

http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/toothpaste.htm

http://www.dentalhealth.org.uk/faqs/leafletdetail.php?LeafletID=2