06/12/2026
Sucking a little toothpaste off the toothbrush never hurt anybody 😅
One of the most common concerns we hear from parents is that their toddler won’t spit out toothpaste. Instead, they lick it off, suck it off, or swallow it while brushing. Luckily, swallowing small amounts of toothpaste is totally normal (and expected) for kids under 5!
Because young kids haven’t mastered spitting, the amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush matters. For how much toothpaste to use, we suggest:
🐝 Under age 3 — use a rice-sized smear
🐝 Ages 3+ — use a pea-sized amount
As for which toothpaste to use, we personally use both fluoride and hydroxyapatite toothpaste on our own children to help strengthen enamel and protect against cavities.
When you’re using the recommended amount, swallowing a little toothpaste during brushing is expected and generally considered safe. The concern is usually when kids are using too much toothpaste, eating it from the tube(😅😅😅), or swallowing large amounts on a regular basis.
You can encourage spitting by making it fun. Look in the mirror and make a silly face, pretend to spit like a dinosaur 🦖, and practice with water to help them learn over time!
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