Many parents are squeezing potentially unhealthy amounts of toothpaste on their children’s brushes, health officials warned in a study released on Friday.

The study, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said nearly 40 percent of children ages 3 to 6 used more toothpaste than recommended by dental professionals. For young children with emerging teeth, swallowing too much fluoride toothpaste can cause discoloration of their teeth, a condition called dental fluorosis.

Parents of children in that age bracket should squeeze no more than a pea-size amount of toothpaste on their brush, the C.D.C. and American Dental Association recommend.

It is also important to teach children not to swallow the saliva and paste. Even very young children can be taught to spit into the sink.  Until they are able to do that, use a paste marketed for very young children.

Have you brought your child into the dental setting yet? They should go with a parent and/or older sibling and watch so they learn that a cleaning and examination are not painful.

The professionals at Nayaug Family Dental would be happy to discuss your children’s needs and launch them on the path to dental health at a young age.