Factors influencing the amount of fluoride toothpaste applied by the mothers of young children

Objective To determine the weight of dentifrice and consequent amount of fluoride placed on a toothbrush by the mothers of young children when instructed to apply a pea-sized quantity or smear of two dentifrices containing different fluoride concentrations from tubes with round or star-shaped nozzles. Subjects and methods 53 mothers participated in the study and each applied the eight possible combinations of dentifrice in a random order. Results The mean weight of dentifrice, and therefore fluoride, applied was statistically less for the smear instruction than the pea but the difference was small. Significantly less weight of Colgate 0-6 gel was applied when compared with Colgate Great Regular Flavour (GRF) but the nozzle shape had no significant effect on the weight of dentifrice applied. Conclusions The difference in fluoride concentration between GRF (1450 ppm F) and Colgate 0-6 gel (400 ppm F) was the most important determinant of the amount-of fluoride applied.