Brushing Baby's Teeth?

We brushed my son's teeth as soon as they came, to help him get used to the idea. We use a soft tooth-brush and Waleda non-floride toothpaste. We also sing him a little son about brushing his teeth. My son (now 18 months) LOVES to brush his teeth. After we've done it, he does it himself for a while, and anytime he sees us doing it, he does it, too. He doesn't know how to spit yet, but he likes to chew on the toothbrush.

I started early, it's best to do it that way so they get used to it. I'm not too surprised that your daughter bit when you put your finger in her mouth, since it's not something she's used to. They make toddler brushes with very soft bristles. You can use just water, or a toddler paste that is safe to swallow. With my daughter, I let her play with the toothbrush, but then she never wanted to actually brush her teeth, just suck on the toothbrush, which was a struggle. With my son, I didn't really let him have it until he understood what it was for, and now he easily lets me brush his teeth, and makes (mostly) the right motions on his own. He even tries to spit when we brush, even though he has nothing to spit out, lol. I'd definitely go out and get a brush now, it's a good habit to instill early. If you have another baby, you may want to start early, when the teeth first start coming in, so your child gets used to it. Good luck!

Hi there, I have brushed my sons teeth as soon as they come in. I got a very soft tooth brush and non-floride toothpaste. I also let my 9 month old chew on his tooth brush.

I think she is ready to start getting used to a small, very soft toothbrush if she has so many teeth. There are mild-tasting children's toothpastes and only use a pea-sized dot till she learns to rinse & spit. You will mostly be doing it till she gets the idea. Maybe in front of a mirror - brush a few, have her spit, then a few more. I began taking my boys to the pediatric dentist when they were between 18 mos and 2 years so they would get used to the experience and we could prevent any problems. They are teens now with beautiful smiles and never a cavity. Good luck!

I used a toddler toothbrush that came with toddler toothpaste. You do not HAVE to use the paste, it just gets them used to it. My daughter likes to suck it off the brush. I have had times that I had to fight her to brush but she is getting much better. I start brushing and then let her finish. She is 2 1/2 now but when she was 1, I found it was easier to brush her teeth by laying her across my lap. I could get her to laugh and get the brush in to get the molars. Don't get upset if she has a fit, missing one time won't condemn her teeth to cavities. She may start off letting you then have a period of screaming when it is time to brush but it will get easier.

I started as soon as my kid's first teeth were out of their gums. I started with the Orajel finger cot (a finger cot with little soft bristles) on my daughter and now my son and simply rubbed/rub their teeth with that and then I went/will go to the toddler toothbrush and practice toothpaste when they could/can stand. If your baby is biting your fingers hard then i would progress to the toddler toothbrush (you will need to do it until he is old enough to handle it himself).

Hi Erika, I brushed my kids' teeth as they came out with a baby tooth brush and youth toothpaste. Took a few tries to find a toothpaste they liked the flavor of. I've read you should use a nonflouride toothpaste since swallowing floride is not good for them, but I didn't, and they did swallow for awhile before they learned to rinse and spit. They are 18, 16, and 13 now and none have had any problems from swallowing a little toothpaste in toddlerhood. I brushed only once a day in the bathtub, and they all went through phases where it was a HUGE fight (actually had to pin one of them on the bathroom floor, draping my leg over his chest to hold him down, sounds horrible but this was a battle I was NOT going to lose, and thereby a SHORT battle). Good Luck! Also if you involve her in the choosing of the flavor at the store and trying different things, she might be more receptive to it, wish I'd've done that! Went up to twice a day at about 3 yrs old.

I would let my girls "play" with the toothbrush and running water. All toddlers love water. I showed them how to brush and let it ripi! Look for a toothpaste with little or no flouride. Have fun!

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If she is willing, let her do it......she won't do it great, but you do it, then show her how she can do it.......she's a big girl now.......anything is better than nothing.......also if you have a dentist, call them and see what they recommend for someone that young to use....

Good luck.

my daughter is 9 months with 6 teeth and ive been brushing them since the first popped through. i even let her pick out her own baby tooth brush =]

They make small head brushes and you use the tooth paste that is for babies by oral gel. Basicaly the same stuff that u use with the finger brush. the finger brush is basically for the infants to brush there gums while teething and the first couple teeth. I would get two brushes one for you to brush her teeth the other for her to practice with.