Brushing - Central Falls,RI

Updated on May 18, 2010
L.M. asks from Central Falls, RI
8 answers

My son has just pushed his first teeth through. When should I start the teeth/ gum brushing?

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J.L.

answers from Boston on

Now. I brought my 2 sons to the dentist for the first time this past year and they said their first appointment should be by 1. But as soon as you see those teeth popping through, it's time to brush. Actually, they say to wipe down their gums with a cloth everyday even before they have teeth.

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E.K.

answers from Hartford on

Start now! I remember my doctor telling us to brush the gums before teeth even push through. The younger he is, the better he'll be about it. Just make it part of your evening and/or morning routine :-)

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

How old is he? I'd say for now, you can use that little fingertip brush with water. At least make sure you wipe his teeth off if he drinks milk/formula before bed.

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S.C.

answers from Boston on

Start right away. Brushing gums even before teeth push through is the best way to ensure a child's oral hygiene.

D.B.

answers from Boston on

Now. Get him used to it. You are wise to see that it's not just the teeth but also the gums that need it. That can be comforting when teeth are about to push through too. You can use a baby washcloth if you want. But get a small, toddler toothbrush with soft bristles - they often sell them in inexpensive sets with fun handles (animals, dinosaurs, etc.) - you can let your child get used to choosing which brush to use, but not whether or not to brush. You can also find songs on CD about brushing teeth, or you can sing "This is the way we brush our teeth, brush our teeth.....so early in the morning" (substitute "evening" or "after lunch time" as appropriate - this also works for "...wash our hands..." and other tasks). Or sing "brush brush brush our teeth" to the tune of "Row row row your boat". My son had one of those personalized CDs with a variety of songs (for bathtime, for cleaning the room, for going to sleep, etc.) with his name sung in it - they often have things like that at the Christmas Tree Shop or other discount stores. Works great!

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D.K.

answers from Washington DC on

For now, just wipe a clean, wet washcloth over his gums and new tooth. You could have/should have been doing this from the beginning. Once he is able to stand well, then get a stool for the bathroom sink and start brushing with a regular brush and baby toothpaste.

T.B.

answers from Chicago on

You can wipe them off after meals now with a washcloth, until he has a few more. It's really never too early to start brushing, just be sure to use a very soft bristled brush made for babies. The sooner you start, the better, so they get used to having them brushed. We like to sing our ABC's while we brush, to make it more fun. :) Be sure to use a baby toothpaste like Tom's of Maine (they have a strawberry flavored one without fluoride). Hold off on the fluoride until they can spit and not swallow. My son is 2.5 and is just about ready for fluoride because he's able to spit out the paste and rinse and spit. :)

Good luck to you!
T.
www.ReadandGrow.com

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D.M.

answers from Boston on

I used a toothbrush and some of that safe to swallow toothpaste right away, I say that its better to get him used to the feel of the toothbrush, trust me, with my daughter she screamed the whole time for the first year, don't use the washcloth/wipe off route, they need to get used to the feel of the bristles.

and make sure to find a good pedi dentist and ask when they want to see you son for the first time, if you get him used to the dentist early you won't have any fears or meltdowns as they get older, go every 6 mos and by the time they are old enough to understand he will be used to it, my son is 5 and has been going since he was a baby, and he isn't afraid at all. and my daughter is 2 and doesn't have much of a problem with it either...

good luck

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