I can guarantee that nearly everyone reading this post is using way too much toothpaste when they brush their teeth. In fact, you’re probably using at least four times the amount you need, and thus you’re paying four times what you should be paying for toothpaste. Not only that, but you may be getting too much fluoride if you are, like most people, using a fluoridated toothpaste. (RFK Jr. may get rid of those!)
How much toothpaste do you need? Several hygienists have told me “the amount about the size of a pea”, and I have verified that from several sites (for example, here, here, and here). Nobody weighs their toothpaste, but this amount is roughly 0.25 grams of paste. That means that a small three-ounce tube should last about six months if you brush twice a day.
And here are photos showing the proper amount of toothpaste to use for both small children and those more than three years old (that includes us):
If you’re dispensing a ribbon of toothpaste that extends the length of the bristles, you’re using (and spending) way too much. STOP IT!
Thanks for the PSA. My grandchildren use the picture on the left. The four-year-old freaked out when I gave him the picture on the right when we were baby-sitting. The toothpaste commercials all show a long ribbon which I never obeyed. It’s like the shampoo labels that tell you to lather, rinse, then repeat. Repeat? WTF?
I do change my oil at recommended intervals and my car is nearly 25 years old with nigh on 250,000 km.
“The toothpaste commercials all show a long ribbon which I never obeyed.”
🎯
Exactly right. The large dollop used in commercials is to sell more toothpaste.
Also
I think applying the paste on the brush leads to the paste getting clogged down in the base.
And yes – I’m trying this now! I’m noticing my mouth is “watering”, and diluting the paste…
I found that even with a pea-sized squeeze, sometimes a little blob falls off the bristles and into my mouth, so I moosh the toothpaste down into bristles as I squeeze.
Yes, very good reminder, thanks, I know – but tried a “pea” but it gets lost – I know I am a Big Mouth, but this is ridiculous!
I’ll try again. Got the sonicating brush too.
And toothpaste with sodium nitrite is not exactly cheap! It adds up!
Follow-up:
Seems ok.
However, seems diluted.
Also highly recommend flossing/dental taping when the toothpaste is still in the mouth. FWIW my dentist approves.
Ugh, that sounds messy.
IMHO worth every bit.
Easy to try and decide – might need extra tape for better grip. Careful about pinching too tight.
This comment paid for by Big Dental Tape.
If you’re using a desensitizing toothpaste it might be potassium nitrate. Be that as it may, after you’ve brushed and spit, try not rinsing. Leaving the remnants clinging to the roots may enhance the effectiveness of the desensitizer, and doesn’t add significantly to the volume you swallow.
+1
I vary the pastes (sensitive/not) depending, and I can 100% confirm the potassium nitrate (yes, just read it from the tube) works. It takes days to a couple of weeks to fully develop – and only a few days to degrade.
I love to eat tons of fruit now. Significant factor – diet!
We’ve been using Oral B electric toothbrushes for years. You can only put a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on their brush heads.
Guilty as charged. I shall immediately reform and abandon my profligate ways.
25 years ago, friends of ours were selling Amway, and they made a point to say that you only needed a pea-sized amount of their toothpaste on your toothbrush vs how Colgate showed you needed a full brush length to get your teeth clean. Therefore a tube of Amway lasted 3X as long as Colgate with the same or better results.
We bought some, and did as recommended with great checkups. Been doing the same pea-sized amount ever since regardless of the toothpaste.
So have I lost a couple IQ points? 🤔 Is that what is meant by Safe without spitting?
A friend takes a tiny sample size tube of toothpaste when we go on holiday. I was very surprised the first time I noticed, but she explained that most people use too much. I have implants now, so I don’t need toothpaste to prevent caries, but it is still good for your gums and general mouth hygiene. I could probably switch to a non flouride one now. It tastes nice too.
Thank you for an excellent tip, Jerry. I presently put a dollop of toothpaste on the brush, now I shall follow your advice and use a pea-sized amount. Safe travels to Poland.
I had my all my teeth surgically removed after radiation treatment to my head and neck a long time back. Radiation destroys enamel. They tried to save them but it was not possible. Further, I was ‘forbidden’ to wear false teeth.
It is oddly liberating not having to worry about your teeth, but I haven’t been able to smile for over twenty years.
🙂 🙂 🙂
This is scandalous. Americans deserve the best tooth care possible, and that means using sufficient toothpaste, applied liberally. The economy of the United States of America is inescapably tied to toothpaste consumption. What is good for Colgate is good for America.
/s
Good one!
Sorry but no. I use as much toothpaste as I want and have no gumption about purchasing an extra tube or two each year. And while we’re at it, you can keep your Hollywood liberal suggestions that I use only one square of toilet paper per wipe to yourself.
Have a good day and ‘Murica.
🙂
Why do I suddenly feel like buying one of those “no I’m not very well endowed” pickups and rolling some coal?
Hey, TP squares are the size they are for a reason!
Hollywood liberal suggestions?
Sorry, inappropriate and rude comment.
Hey, anyone use these “whitening” pastes?
I have a tube laying around as a back up and – apologies for this – but goddamn it if that stuff makes my oral cavity react with weird layers of sort of crusty slime, and like for an hour!
/rant
I do use only a pea-sized amount, but it’s because I use a high-fluoride (oh no!), sensitivity-fighting toothpaste that I can only get from my dentist. The tube needs to last the entire time between visits. Also, indeed, the instructions say to use a pea-sized amount. I am just following the roolz.
I also use prescription high-fluoride toothpaste that I purchase from my dentists (costs the same as at the drugstore with an Rx). But I buy an extra tube (or rather, container) each time I go for a clearning, so I always have extra on hand.
STOP IT.
A great Bob Newhart skit for those who want a smile:
https://youtu.be/bcSAQyzPcl0?si=-0PHbfa_oPGXPQKi
Love that skit, thanks for posting it!
My wife, the dental hygienist, has told me this for the 45 years we’ve been together and now, if I use too much, I hate it. Kudo for pointing this out!
Very good advice.
While we’re on the subject of minimising our use of such products, I have not used shampoo for over 25 years. After a couple of weeks, one’s scalp adapts to the occasional soaking in the shower. We don’t need it, folks!
+1
I use the bar of soap. Take a pick. Works for me.
Ooh, not sure about the pick. I find it scars the scalp
🤣
All my life I was following the guidelines of the toothpaste packaging, reinforced by my parents. When my husband and I moved in together six years ago, he was horrified and now monitors my toothpaste usage to make sure I’m not using too much 😛
About two years ago, after Googling, I switched to the pea-sized dose. I also changed how I brush. No up and down, no right to left, apparently that abrades your teeth and gums. Rather, I do small circles at a 45-degree angle. So far, good checkups!
^^^next level.
Hopefully not too late.
I would recommend a sonicare electric brush. My checkups are perfect since I got that and a Water-Pik.
I already forgot.
Tomorrow!
OMG — I use 5 times as much. No wonder my mental ability is declining — must be fluoride overdose.
“Not only that, but you may be getting too much fluoride if you are, like most people, using a fluoridated toothpaste. (RFK Jr. may get rid of those!)”
Getting rid of fluorides in water supplies and toothpaste is the dental part of the “drill, baby, drill” plan. Not a lot of fossil fuel there, but there might be something.
I worked for a commercial photographer in the 70’s photographing for toothpaste commercials. No way we were going to put a little pea sized blob on the brush in the shot. The toothpaste blob was called the “nerdle” by the way, according to the art directors.
Today I learned.
I have used baking soda for the last 50 years. No cavities until about 4 years ago and that’s probably due to my becoming old and grumpy. Very cheap and leaves your mouth feeling quite clean without that minty overlay that just makes me grumpier.
This is useful and welcome advice, certainly, so thank you. But the last paragraph is a tad dramatic in implying that we spend “way too much” on toothpaste. My annual toothpaste budget is such a drop in the bucket compared to everything else I spend money on, that changing it by an order of magnitude in either direction wouldn’t really be noticeable.
If there is anything you can do to curb the over consumption of everything……thank you for this.