AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/toothpaste

How much toothpaste should you use?

Way less than the commercials show: a pea-sized dab for everyone 3 and up.

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The Just Right card

Too littleA dry brush with no fluoride
Too muchA full swirl, and kids swallow it
Just rightA pea for 3 and up, a grain of rice under 3

Huh, didn't know that: Brush 2 minutes, twice a day. Then spit, don't rinse, so the fluoride keeps working.

The dad joke
My kid asked if I was serious about the pea-sized thing. I said, "Would I lie? I'm telling you the tooth."
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AhaBulb card: How much toothpaste should you use?

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References

Answer: A pea-sized dab. A pea-sized dab is plenty for everyone 3 and up, and a grain of rice under 3. Brush 2 minutes, then spit but don't rinse, so the fluoride keeps working.

  1. CDC toothpaste use in children www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/68/wr/mm6804a3.htm
    Children aged <3 years should use a smear the size of a rice grain
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. Kent Community Health NHS toothbrushing advice www.kentcht.nhs.uk/leaflet/brushing-your-teeth
    Use a pea-sized amount of a fluoride toothpaste containing 1350 to 1500ppm of fluoride
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  3. NHS tooth cleaning guidance www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-teeth-and-gums/how-to-keep-your-teeth-clean
    Don't rinse your mouth immediately after brushing, as it'll wash away the concentrated fluoride in the remaining toothpaste.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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Test yourself in the game

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That's stuff everyone should know.