My youngest used to just lick the brush if there was too much paste—total waste.
That’s exactly what happens here, too. I actually did a mini experiment: pea-sized lasted maybe two weeks less per tube than a smear. Honestly, my kids still whine about the “bubblegum” flavor, so I’m not sure the cartoon characters are worth it…
We had the same cartoon toothpaste war here, and honestly, I think my kids are just in it for the packaging. They act like I’m torturing them with the “blue raspberry” flavor, even though they picked it out. Has anyone actually found a flavor their kids don’t complain about... or is that just a myth?
That “blue raspberry” flavor is notorious—kids beg for it, then suddenly it’s the worst thing ever. In my experience, the novelty wears off fast, no matter what you buy. I’ve seen kids protest bubblegum, watermelon, even the “mild mint” ones that taste like nothing. Honestly, I think the flavor wars are just part of the routine at this point.
On the whole pea-sized vs. tiny smear debate: a smear is plenty for kids under six, especially if they’re still learning to spit. More toothpaste doesn’t mean cleaner teeth, and swallowing too much fluoride isn’t great. Once they get older (and stop eating it like frosting), a pea-sized blob is fine.
Packaging and flavor seem to matter more than anything else for most kids. I’ve had parents tell me their child only likes toothpaste with a certain cartoon on it—never mind the actual taste. Maybe it’s just one of those things you have to rotate every few months and hope for the best.
Honestly, I think the flavor wars are just part of the routine at this point.
Couldn’t agree more. My youngest went through a phase where only “sparkle berry” toothpaste would do—she’d turn up her nose at anything else, even if it was literally the same stuff in a different tube. By the time we’d stocked up on it, she’d decided it was “too spicy,” which… still no idea what that means. I think you’re right, it’s less about the actual flavor and more about the novelty or whatever character’s on the box that week.
On the smear vs. pea-sized thing: I’m with you that a tiny smear is plenty for little kids. When my son was three, he’d try to eat the toothpaste like it was dessert, so we had to be extra careful. Our dentist even showed us how just a dab is enough to get the job done. Once they’re older and not swallowing it (or at least not as much), I feel better about moving up to a pea-sized amount. It’s wild how much of a difference that makes in how long a tube lasts, too.
One thing I’ve noticed is that packaging really does seem to be half the battle. The last time we tried to switch to a “grown-up” mint, my daughter acted like we’d handed her poison. But if there’s a unicorn or a superhero on the tube, suddenly brushing’s a treat. I don’t know if there’s any winning this game, honestly. We just keep a couple flavors on hand and rotate when the complaints start getting loud.
I guess in the end, if they’re brushing (and not eating half the tube), I’m calling it a win.
Totally get this. I used to buy the value packs thinking I was being clever, but once my kid decided “bubble blast” was suddenly gross, we had three tubes just sitting there. Smear for the win—lasts way longer and less waste if tastes change overnight.