Encouraging your young child to brush daily will help to develop good oral hygiene practices early in life. But did you know that parents should monitor the amount of fluoride toothpaste for children under the age of 6. Higher-than-recommended levels of fluoride have been associated with an increased risk of mild discoloration in developing, unerupted teeth. Children should use only a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste or an amount equivalent to the size of the child's fingernail. After brushing, a child should be encouraged to spit out and not swallow the toothpaste.
The use of fluoride mouthrinses is also not recommended for children younger than 6 because they tend to swallow more than they spit out.
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