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Teeth brushing - how to encourage spit not swallow?!

5 replies

LaTristesse · 06/10/2010 10:07

DS is 7 mo, has 2 teeth which we're brushing twice daily with no problems at the moment (crosses fingers). I'm just a little concerned that he swallows too much toothpaste - I obv only use a tiny smear each time, but he doesn't know yet how to spit it out, so it all ends up getting swallowed.

Any ideas about this? Is it ok? How can I teach him to spit? (I brush mine at the same time so he is able to watch, just won't copy yet...)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Seona1973 · 06/10/2010 10:16

thats why you only use a smear. He is probably not going to be able to spit it out till around the age of 2ish (going by my lo's)

blue22 · 06/10/2010 10:59

I have the same problem. My DD is 13 months, and has 4 teeth, which I brush (or try to as she just clamps her mouth shut) When I demonstrate how to spit she roars with laughter as if it's the funniest thing she's ever seen!
Not much help I'm afraid, just want to let you know you're not alone!

mascarpone · 06/10/2010 11:07

Had exactly the same problem. It was solved by dd1 watching an episode of the Little Princess where she brushes her teeth and spits the toothpaste out. Suddenly, she seemed to understand!

LaTristesse · 07/10/2010 08:41

Thanks ladies... I'll just wait for him to work it out then!

OP posts:
UniS · 08/10/2010 20:09

He didn't get it till he was 4 Years old, then I changed his toothpaste and told him that THIS one he was not allowed to swallow he had to spit now he was big boy. worked a dream. YMMV

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