Are your preschoolers using too much toothpaste? CDC says they wouldn't be alone

That sparkly bubblegum toothpaste might taste great, but a new report finds that many young kids are piling on way too much of the stuff on their toothbrushes - and that's not good for their teeth.

Experts, including the CDC, say that preschoolers should use no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste when they brush their teeth.

While 49 percent did use the correct amount, according to the survey, 20.6 percent used a half load and 17.8 percent used a full load - both way too much experts say. (Another 12.4 percent brushed their teeth with a smear of toothpaste.)

Why is that bad?

"Excessive ingestion by young children can discolor and pit the permanent teeth," according to the CDC.

"Recommendations aim to balance the benefits of fluoride exposure for prevention of dental caries with the potential risk for fluorosis when excessive amounts of fluoride toothpaste are swallowed by young children," the CDC report says. "The findings from this study highlight the importance of recommendations that parents supervise young children during brushing and monitor fluoride ingestion."

To ensure your kids aren't swallowing too much fluoride when they brush their teeth, the American Academy of Pediatricians recommends parents of young children supervise their kids while brushing their teeth.

Kids under the age of 3 should use no more than a smear of toothpaste with fluoride. From ages 3 to 6, they should brush with no more than a pea-sized amount of toothpaste twice a day.

Because many young kids will "instinctively swallow water," the academy says, parents must be there to encourage them to spit out any extra toothpaste and rinse with water.