YOUNG-CHILDREN AND FLUORIDE TOOTHPASTE

Studies have shown a higher prevalence of enamel mottling in children who live in fluoridated areas than in those from low fluoride areas. I t is possible that the additive effect of fluoride ingestion from wate r and toothpaste may be responsible since it is known that young child ren may swallow up to half of the toothpaste on the brush. Parents mus t supervise toothbrushing for young children, low fluoride paste shoul d be used, and the brush merely smeared with paste. The commonly recom mended pea-sized quantity may be too much.