Journal of Dental Research, Vol 67, 1114-1117, Copyright © 1988 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Dentifrice usage among Danish children
C. Bruun and A. Thylstrup
Department of Cariology and Endodontics, Royal Dental College, Copenhagen N, Denmark.
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.
