"Maybe I'm just overthinking it (wouldn't be the first time, haha), but does anyone else worry about this stuff too?"
You're definitely not alone—I worried a lot about that when my kids were toddlers too. Dentists usually reassure parents that a tiny smear of fluoride toothpaste is safe even if swallowed occasionally. My youngest used to swallow it constantly, and our dentist just advised sticking to the "grain of rice" size. Eventually, she got used to spitting it out naturally. Hang in there...it gets easier with practice and patience!
You're definitely not alone—I worried a lot about that when my kids were toddlers too.
Glad someone else brought this up—I was starting to think I was the only one obsessing over toothpaste amounts, haha. Our dentist said pretty much the same thing about the fluoride being safe in tiny amounts, but honestly, it still makes me nervous every time my little guy gulps it down. I try to distract him with silly faces or songs to encourage spitting, but it's hit or miss. Guess patience really is key...but it's reassuring to hear others have been there too.
I remember those days well, and trust me, you're doing great. My grandkids went through the same phase—one of them thought toothpaste was dessert for a while, haha. We tried everything from silly songs to sticker charts, and honestly, some days nothing worked. But eventually, they all got the hang of it. You're right about patience being key; it's tough in the moment, but this stage passes quicker than you'd think.
Also, dentists usually err on the side of caution, so if yours isn't overly worried, that's a good sign. Kids are surprisingly resilient, and a little swallowed toothpaste here and there isn't likely to cause harm. Still, I totally get your anxiety—it's natural to worry about these things when they're so little. Hang in there...you're definitely not alone in this!
Haha, toothpaste as dessert...sounds familiar. My youngest went through a phase where brushing teeth was basically a wrestling match every night. We tried all the tricks too—fun toothbrushes, flavored toothpaste, even brushing our teeth together to make it a family event. Honestly, some nights nothing worked, and I worried about cavities and dentist bills piling up. But like you said, patience really does pay off. Eventually, it just clicked for him. Hang in there, you're doing better than you think.
"Honestly, some nights nothing worked, and I worried about cavities and dentist bills piling up."
Haha, brings back memories...my daughter used to hide her toothbrush in the weirdest places—once found it in the freezer! Did your youngest ever try creative hiding spots too?
