When to Start Brushing My 14 Month Old's Teeth

I started giving my son a toothbrush to get used to holding around 6 months and started using the swallowable toothpaste by gerber once his teeth broke thru. Now he is almost 17 months old and we brush teeth every evening.

When she HAS teeth. Soft cloth. When she can handle the tooth brush herself, let her use just a touch of children's paste, not adult paste. When she can 'spit' on command, then you can start a bit of adult paste, but children prefer cherry flavored or grape or bubblegum, so I stuck with children's for a LONG time. ANYTHING to get my son to brush!

Hi J.! I have been a dental hygienist for 24 years so here's my 2 cents worth!! LOL Start brushing her teeth now! Have her do it while you do yours, make it a game, whatever works. As far as toothpaste is concerned....if you're in Aston, then I am pretty sure our water is fluoridated. That's a good thing! Fluoride has definitely helped reduce cavities in children! If your daughter does not like "minty" paste then the children's toothpastes are fine. I agree that there is no danger in using adult paste....just use it sparingly! I mean, just a drop, a quick swipe on the bristles is enough. The actual brushing motion is what is important in removing plaque and food debris from her teeth. If she is not co-operative with a brush, there are little wipes that fit on your finger that you can use. Last bit of advice......never let her go to bed with a bottle!! Especially if it has milk in it. Milk has lactose which is a sugar. No juice either.....that contains dextrose and/or just straight up sugar! I have seen toddlers with a condition called baby bottle syndrome.....their little teeth are completely blackened and worn down from decay from taking a bottle to bed! A pacifier would be better....especially an "orthodontic" one, that puts less pressure on the front teeth.
As far as first dental appt.....we start seeing children at the age of 3. Some are co-operative at 2, some don't get into it til they are near 5.....it all depends on the child. And the parent......sometimes having the parent come back into the operatory is more of a hinderance than a help. In order to deliver our dental care, we need the child to listen to us and understand what we're doing and sometimes, although they are well-meaning, parents "over-explaining" things just confuses the child. It really does all depend on the child....I have had 3 year olds just bound back to my room and hop in the chair and have a great time! And then there are kids who need to sit in Mom's lap while I work on them.....they are all different.
Well, hope this was helpful! Let me know how you do!!

It is recommended that you start brushing a child's teeth when they first start to erupt. A good way to start is to use a washcloth while she is taking a bath. Making a game of it also helps. When she is a little older you can suggest that she brush your teeth and then you brush hers. Also, when she is 3 it is a good idea to start seeing a dentist for checkups. Until then don't worry unless you see any dark spots on her teeth.

You should start brushing as soon as they get teeth or earlier (brushing the gums). She may not like it, but it is very important that she brush especially if she has not started brushing yet. Make it fun and eventually, she will get used to it. Make sure you get a toothpaste for toddlers that is safe to swallow. You can get this at the grocery/drug store. They also make toothbrushes just for babies and toddlers. My toddler always saw a pediatric dentist and got her brushes there, but I know you can get them at the store as well. Good luck!

J., along with what everyone else says, it actually is ok to give her adult toothpaste, especially if she drinks unflouridated water (most bottled water isn't).

I've learned from MANY sources, including my son's doc, a nurse and a dental hygienist, that the child has to ingest more than one full, large tube of adult toothpaste to do even minor damage. Swallowing 1/2 the tube would most likely result in a stomach ache, but nothing major.

I think the infant paste is fine, but I'm totally against the children's toothpaste because it's sweetly flavored, in my opinion encouraging them to prefer candy-sweet things. (Clearly I'm not in the majority as it sells quite well!!) lol

Anywho, don't sweat not having done it yet--start doing it now and make her proud to be such a big girl she gets to brush her teeth like Mommy!

D.

NOW! Take her to the store and let her pick out her very special tooth brush and paste. Even 15 seconds is better than none. Maybe try a sticker book. Each time she brushes she gets a sticker. I'm not sure where you live but Target has really cute stickers in their dollar section.
When my son brushes he does his best and then I finish. I make sure I tell him where I am going to brush. For eample, I say I am going to brush the top left, bottom left.........

Hi J. You should go ahead and start brushing them now. they have toothpaste for infants that is safe to swallow. Its little bear you can buy it at walmart, kmart pretty much anywhere. It has a good flavor so they dont seem to mind so much. My children all started going to the dentist at 2. I would recommend a pediatric dentist they are used to having alot of children and seem to be a bit more patient and understanding. hope this helps steph

I read that it is good to start brushing their teeth when they first start to come in. It is even good to keep their gums clean before they get teeth. My daughter is 16months and I have been brushing her teeth since she was 6months old. She actually has been to the dentist already for her first check up. It is also good to get her use to the toothbrush so it becomes a habit. Hope this helps!

Hi,
GERBER has GRINS & GIGGLES INFANT TOOTH & CLEANSER- Safe to Swallow & has no fluoride in it, made with natural fruit flavors. Comes with a rubber finger brush to go over teeth n gums with....does not hurt! (Can be found in the baby section or tooth brush/paste aisle.) Safe to use starting at 3 months & older. Under $5 dollars.
I am a mother of 2 toddlers n this is what I used!
Hope this helps, Take care n God Bless

Hi J.~
My son is 20 months old now and we started at 12 mos. It was tricky at first, but now he begs for his tooth brush. He likes the cute little kiddy brushes. You night want to let her pick out one that she likes. We also use a flavored toddler tooth paste.
Best of Luck!

My husband and I started brushing our 13 mnth old's teeth when she was about 11 mnths she has 8 teeth, they make a flavored toothpast for infants (in the baby isle) and when we brush our teeth she is watching knowing that she will be next. Also give your daughter a tooth brush to play with more than likely it will end up in her mouth anyway, she will get used to it. Make it part of her morning and nighly routine. As you do it make it to be a BIG deal for her, ie Good Job,Yay, make her think she is doing something new and you show her that it is exciting to you for her to do that.

Hope this helps, Good luck

you are suppost to start brushing their teeth when they get the first one in at 6 months. There is baby and infant toothpaste and brushes. I have 3 kids and i make a game out of it. expecally for mu 5 year old. He refuses to do it.

now. it is recommended to start before they even get any teeth to help toughen the gums & to get them use to it.

i would just make it fun, my son really likes the crest spin brush he does it himself & it's a cute firetruck brush with lights.

As soon as she gets her first tooth start with the finger tooth brush. I think it is around a year that you start brushing with a baby tooth brush. The dr will know. We were told to go to the denist when my son turned 2. His teeth are fine, but they just peeked around in there and at three started cleanings

Have you used the Toddler toothbrush/toothpaste, like Gerber makes? I started brushing my daughter's teeth as soon as they appeared. You could try giving her the toothbrush to play with while you are brushing your teeth and showing her what is going on, then eventually try brushing her teeth. Good luck.

you need to be brushing her teeth now. Orajel (i think thats it) makes a training tooth paste. It has Little Bear on it. Let her go with you and pick it out and let her pick out her tooth brush. My duaghter was picky and would only let me brush her teeth if she had a Dora toothbrush. She will probbaly bite down on the brush both of my kids did just keep your patience and brush them. It takes longer at first but soon they will be asking to brush thier teeth at least my two do now. They are 4 and 1/2 and 3. Its part of our nightly routine. Good Luck.

I think you definitely need to start introducing brushing teeth. I think at this point it's not as important how well it's actually done, but just to introduce the routine of it and importance of it. Why don't you try taking her to the store and letting her pick out her own toothbrush. They have so many different ones, and with all the characters she'll probably see it more as a toy.

We have those disposable toothbrushes that have an on-off vibration button for my husband and I. My son loves "brushing" his teeth with it while it is vibrating. No need for any toothpaste, just the act of brushing is the best for them. I think colgate makes the brushes.

She should be brushing her teeth now. I started my son when he got is very first tooth. I is still hard sometimes he will only let me get the bottom teeth really good the top ones is where it becomes a struggle he will just bite donw on the tooth brush. I agree with the little bear tooth paste it is safe for babies to swollaw, as well as picking out a brush he will like.
Good luck to you.

Hi J.,

Go for it! Your daughter will probably be very resistant to you brushing her teeth, so start out slow. They sell several different toothbrushes and flouride free toothpastes - flavors and characters on the tube. My advice, buy a few different types and let her pick which one she wants to use that time. We always let my son brush his own teeth first, then we brush them for him. We say "Logan's turn, now its mommy/daddy's turn" A key, we always let him take his time brushing his own teeth.

Good luck and remember to have fun with it.

K.