Dentifrice Usage Among Danish Children

The usage of dentifrice was studied in 179 Danish children of approximate ages 3, 7, 9, and 16 years. The usage was assessed by measurement of the aggregated quantities used at home during a two-week period. Information was also obtained on toothbrushing habits. The mean daily usage with the same brand of dentifrice increased from 1.1 g among 3-year-olds to 1.5, 2.3, and 3.4 g among 7-, 9-, and 16-year-olds, respectively. The amount used showed a significant, positive relationship to the orifice diameter of the tube. However, the lengths of ribbon of paste squeezed out per brushing were quite similar, regardless of tube orifice diameter. When the usage data were considered in light of the fact that young children swallow an average of 15 to 30% of the dentifrice used for brushing, it became obvious that a notable number of the 3- and 7-year-olds can be expected to ingest fluoride from 1000- and 1500-ppm-F dentifrices in quantities exceeding recommended daily doses.