How to teach a 3 year old to spit out toothpaste?

[sheeplikessleep]

Any ideas how? Every time, he swallows just before he 'spits'. He wants to spit, but it's like he has to swallow before doing so.

Any ideas or tips very gratefully received!
Cheers

We just persevered until she suddenly 'got' it about 3.5. Watching other people spit seemed to help, as did squirting mouthfuls of water in the bath.

good idea about mouthfuls in the bath, we'll try that. he's 3.1, so maybe i was expecting a bit much? thanks for posting

DS 3.3 has only just 'got' it and used to do what your DS does

Don't be worried if your child is swallowing some toothpaste each time, providing it is a low-fluoride childrens' make, the fluoride in it will not do them any harm. (Just avoid nice strawberry flavours or attractive sparkly ones which may tempt a toddler to guzzle it down!)

Yeah it's the Aquafresh 0-3

From what I've read, they shouldn't actually be rinsing and spitting, because they need to keep the fluoride on their teeth. Instead, you should just use a teeny tiny smear of toothpaste so they don't need to spit, if you see what I mean.

yes, agree with vesela. We use a tiny bit of toothpaste and don't rinse. DD can pretend to spit but can't actually do it properly yet.

Yes, my dentist said not to rinse as it removes all the protection from the teeth. So we no longer spit and rinse.

My dentist also said to brush teeth first thing in the morning before you eat so the teeth are protected before any food reaches it.

We don't use fluoride (I'm really anti it as it is a poison and affects the brain - my son already has had brain injury/ CP - don't want to add to this)

All toothpastes if you look have warnings on them about swallowing because of fluoride.

I was also thinking that milk teeth don't need the fluoride protection since they are going to fall out anyway. But perhaps I am wrong in that...

Am I?

But you don't want your baby's teeth to fall out early (not that your baby's teeth will - no judgements from me here) as they act as "holding posts" for the big teeth to "fit into" if you see what I mean.

we still have problems and DS is nearly 4!

we've tried the watch and copy but he always swallows first and then makes a spitting noise but nothing comes out!

ds started to spit out toothpaste when he was 3.5y. it just suddenly clicked. he watches dh and I brushing our teeth, which is the best way of teaching imo.
he brushes the teeth all by himself in the mornings with flouride free toothpaste and in the evenings we do it for him. he has got beautiful teeth.

Orissiah - ?? at your dentist's comment! Teeth should be brushed AFTER breakfast; Does he/she think a Ready Brek protective glow will surround your kids teeth?

skewiff - I have seen many children whose parent's haven't looked after their milk teeth "Because they are going to fall out anyway, so what's the point?"; Tell this to the poor 3 year-old who is having multiple extractions under General Anaesthetic because their teeth have rotted to stumps.

LoveCheese, opinions may difer, but if you google it you can see comments from other dentists.