Although toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed, many children do swallow toothpaste. Martinez-Mier reported that children 15-36 months ingested between 10% and 99.8% of the toothpaste on their toothbrushes.It is important to educate parents about the proper amount of toothpaste to use. Dentists’ and dental hygienists’ educational programs
should include discussions of a “pea sized” amount or “smear” of toothpaste and demonstrate that amount.