How much toothpaste should a child younger than 3 years use?

For a child younger than 3 years, using a smear of toothpaste is recommended to ensure their safety and minimize the risk of swallowing excessive fluoride. At this age, children are still developing their ability to spit out toothpaste, making it crucial to limit the amount they are exposed to. A smear is just a thin coating of toothpaste that allows for effective cleaning without the risk associated with larger amounts.

This approach is aligned with guidelines from dental health organizations, which advocate for a very small amount of fluoride toothpaste to be used for young children to help prevent dental caries while also protecting them from potential fluorosis if they ingest too much fluoride during early dental development.