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Fluoride Content in Toothpaste Tube — NDEB AFK MCQ

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HardCommunity Dentistry & EpidemiologyFluoride Content in Toothpaste TubeNDEB AFK

What is the approximate amount of fluoride ingested by a child if they swallow the entire contents of a standard children's toothpaste tube (75 mL of 1000 ppm fluoride)?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: A — 75 mg

A standard 75 mL tube of 1000 ppm (1 mg/mL) fluoride toothpaste contains approximately 75 mg of fluoride. If a 15 kg child ingested the entire tube: dose = 75 mg / 15 kg = 5 mg/kg — this equals the Probably Toxic Dose (PTD) and requires emergency medical treatment. This illustrates why toothpaste should be stored out of reach of young children, only a pea-sized amount used (age 3-6), and children should be supervised during brushing.

Reference: Dean – McDonald and Avery's Dentistry for the Child and Adolescent, 11th ed., 2021