Toothpaste & fluoride
How Much Toothpaste for Kids? A Simple Guide by Age
For children under 3, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. From 3 to 6, use a pea-sized amount. US and UK advice agree on these amounts, and the NHS also gives the fluoride strength to look for on the box, which differs by age.
By the Molar Squad team at Socket Science, a small studio run by a dentist5 min read
Key takeaways
- Under 3: a smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice.
- Ages 3 to 6: a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
- The NHS recommends at least 1,000ppm fluoride for under-3s and 1,000 to 1,500ppm for ages 3 to 6.
- Teach your child to spit out the extra toothpaste but not to rinse, so the fluoride keeps working.
- Using the right amount and supervising brushing keeps swallowed toothpaste to a minimum.
How much toothpaste should a toddler use?
From the first tooth until age 3, use just a smear of fluoride toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. That is a thin scrape across the bristles, not a stripe. Toddlers cannot spit well yet, so a tiny amount gives the teeth fluoride while keeping what they swallow very small.
This is the advice of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association, and it matches the NHS, which says to use only a smear of toothpaste for children up to 3. Start as soon as the first tooth comes through.
When should kids switch to a pea-sized amount?
Around age 3, move up to a pea-sized amount. US and UK guidance agree on this for children aged 3 to 6. A pea-sized blob sits on the middle of the brush and does not cover the bristles from end to end.
More is not better. A CDC report found that more than 38% of children aged 3 to 6 in a US survey used more toothpaste than recommended. A pea-sized amount is enough to protect the teeth.
Toothpaste amount by age: US and UK at a glance
The amounts are the same on both sides of the Atlantic. The NHS also tells parents what fluoride level to look for on the box, measured in parts per million (ppm). The US sources used here describe the amount rather than a specific ppm, so check with your dentist if you are unsure which toothpaste to choose.
| Age | Amount (US and UK) | NHS fluoride strength |
|---|---|---|
| First tooth to 3 years | A smear, about the size of a grain of rice | No less than 1,000ppm, unless a dentist advises a higher level |
| 3 to 6 years | A pea-sized amount | 1,000ppm to 1,500ppm |
| 7 years and over | Ask your dentist | 1,350ppm to 1,500ppm |
What fluoride strength should children's toothpaste have?
In the UK, the NHS says children under 3 should use a children's toothpaste with no less than 1,000ppm of fluoride, unless a dentist advises a higher level. For ages 3 to 6, it recommends a children's toothpaste containing 1,000ppm to 1,500ppm. From age 7, it suggests toothpaste with between 1,350ppm and 1,500ppm.
The fluoride level is usually printed on the tube or box. Your dentist may suggest a different strength for your child, so follow their advice if it differs from the general guidance.
Why spit, don't rinse?
Fluoride works best when it stays on the teeth after brushing. Once your child is old enough, teach them to spit out the extra toothpaste but skip rinsing with water. The NHS says that if you rinse, the fluoride won't work as well.
If your child cannot spit yet, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests having them tilt their mouth down so the toothpaste can drip into a sink, cup or washcloth.
- Brush for about two minutes with the right amount for your child's age.
- Ask your child to spit out the foam into the sink.
- Skip the water rinse, even if it feels strange at first.
What if my child swallows toothpaste?
Small children often swallow a little toothpaste, and that is why the amounts are so small. The American Dental Association says you do not need to worry about swallowing fluoride toothpaste if you use the right amount for your child's age and supervise brushing to prevent unnecessary swallowing.
Swallowing too much fluoride regularly while teeth are still forming, before about age 8, can cause dental fluorosis, a change in how the tooth enamel looks. The ADA describes this as mostly a cosmetic issue. Keep toothpaste out of reach between brushes, and if your child has eaten a large amount or you are worried, contact your doctor, dentist or local poison control service.
How Molar Squad helps with toothpaste and brushing time
Getting the amount right is the first step. The next is making sure the toothpaste is used well, with a full two minutes that reaches every part of the mouth. Molar Squad, a toothbrushing habit app for children aged 3 to 10 made by a small studio run by a dentist, adds a 2-minute guided timer that walks your child through the four zones of the mouth.
It also offers dentist-approved tooth facts and picture quizzes, so children can learn why we brush, not just how. It is designed to make the routine easier and more fun, and it does not replace your supervision or dentist visits.
- A 2-minute guided brushing timer through the four zones of the mouth
- Morning and evening streaks that earn stickers and heroes
- Dentist-approved tooth facts and picture quizzes
- Reminders and a brushing calendar for parents, behind a parental gate
Questions parents ask
Can toddlers use fluoride toothpaste?
Yes. US and UK guidance recommends fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth, using only a smear about the size of a grain of rice for children under 3. Ask your dentist or doctor if you have questions about fluoride for your child.
What does a pea-sized amount of toothpaste look like?
It is a small round blob, roughly the size of a garden pea, sitting in the middle of the bristles. It should not cover the whole length of the brush head.
Should children use adult toothpaste?
In the UK, the NHS says children aged 7 and over can use toothpaste with 1,350ppm to 1,500ppm fluoride, which includes many family toothpastes. For younger children, follow the age-based amounts and fluoride levels above, or ask your dentist.
Is it OK if my toddler can't spit yet?
Yes. That is why toddlers use only a rice-grain smear. You can have your child tilt their head down so the extra toothpaste drips out into a sink, cup or washcloth.
When should I talk to a dentist about toothpaste?
Talk to your dentist if you are unsure which fluoride strength to buy, if you notice white spots or marks on your child's teeth, or if your child has a higher risk of tooth decay. They may recommend a different toothpaste for your child.
Sources
This guide is based on the public health guidance below.
- NHS: Taking care of children's teeth
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Toothbrushing Tips for Young Children
- MouthHealthy (American Dental Association): Mom's Guide to Fluoride
- CDC MMWR: Use of Toothpaste and Toothbrushing Patterns Among Children and Adolescents, United States, 2013–2016
This guide is general information, not medical advice. If you are worried about your child's teeth, talk to your dentist or doctor.
