I totally understand your concern about swallowing toothpaste—I worried about it with my grandkids too. But you're right, a tiny smear really does the trick. Have you tried flavored dental floss picks yet? Those helped my granddaughter get excited about flossing... might be worth a shot?
You're spot-on about the flavored floss picks—they were a lifesaver when my youngest was going through her "no brushing" phase. We tried the strawberry ones, and suddenly flossing was the highlight of her bedtime routine. Go figure, right?
Another thing that worked wonders for us was letting her pick out her own toothbrush at the store. Sounds simple, but you'd be amazed how much more cooperative toddlers get when they feel like they're in charge. My daughter chose this ridiculously bright toothbrush with flashing lights (honestly, it looked like a mini disco party every night), but hey, whatever works.
As for toothpaste swallowing, I agree a tiny smear is usually harmless. But if you're still worried, there are some fluoride-free toddler toothpastes out there that are safe to swallow. We used one for a while until she got the hang of spitting it out properly.
Hang in there—this stage passes quicker than you think, and soon enough they'll be reminding you it's time to brush teeth... trust me, been there!
Flavored floss picks are honestly genius—wish I'd had those when my kids were little. Letting them choose their own toothbrush is another great trick. My son once picked out this toothbrush shaped like a race car... brushing sessions turned into pit stops, but hey, it got the job done. And yeah, fluoride-free toothpaste can ease the worry about swallowing, but honestly, a tiny smear of regular toothpaste is usually safe too. You're totally right though, before you know it they'll be lecturing you on dental hygiene... speaking from experience here!
Flavored floss picks are definitely a smart move, but have you tried those toothbrushing apps yet? I've heard mixed things—some parents swear by them, others say they're just another distraction. Curious if anyone's found them helpful or if they're more trouble than they're worth. Also, speaking of toothpaste, has anyone noticed their toddler being picky about certain flavors? Mint was a no-go for my niece, but strawberry worked wonders... go figure.
Flavored toothpaste definitely helps—strawberry was a big hit with my nephew too, while mint made him pull faces. Have you tried watermelon flavor yet? That one seems popular with picky toddlers.
As for toothbrushing apps, they're hit or miss in my experience. Some kids really get into the animations and timers, but for others, it's just another screen distraction. Maybe try an app that uses short, simple timers rather than games? Could strike a good balance between helpful and distracting.
