Brushing Teeth... - Gary,IN

She should see the dentist as soon as she gets her 1st tooth. And the brushing with just water and tooth brush is what i did to start my twin girls out on. I suggest lots of gum massage while she is cutting her teeth.

My dental hygenist said that you could start before they have teeth by using a gauze pad after feedings. Seemed a little over the top.

We use Tom's toothpaste because it comes in flavors other than bubble gum. Strawberry is what we use but they have a good selection of other flavors. Why get them used to bubble gum flavor if they've never had that so far?

Our pediatrician said no toothpaste is fine. It's not really helpful, it's just for flavor so they don't fight it as much. Brushing with water is enough!

Hi! I took my first child to the dentist for the first time when she was 3 and my second just went for the first time, he just turned four. I'm sure that you could take your little one to any dentist who would be more than happy to get money for such an easy office visit. I personally asked a family friend, who's been a dentist for about 30 years, and he said that there's really no need to take a child before they're 3 or 4 unless they are experiencing problems. Both of my kids did really great at their first dentist visit. They have very healthy teeth. I've been using that orajel toothpaste on them since they were about 6 months old. It comes with a little finger brush that you can use for little ones. We just switched to big kids' toothpaste about 6 months ago.

I use the toddler training orajel toothpaste. It is made especially for young ones. My youngest son use to hate brushing his teeth (when I used water). Now he loves it. He takes turns with me brushing his teeth. He would brush for hours if I let him. It is in with the regular toothpaste. I found it toward the bottom of the shelves though at CVS. It's kind of expensive but you don't use very much so it lasts a while.
My dentist says he will see my son when he turns 3 yrs. Any problems before that need to be brought up to his physician. Hope this helps. Shannon

I've started brushing both my kids teeth at 12m.
I use electric tootbrush - they like the sound it makes and it makes it easier.
For toothpaste use Orajel Toddler Training Toothpaste, it's safe to swallow.
As far as visiting the dentist they say you should go at 12 months, but I don't know. I think if you and your husband have really good teeth, then you don't have to. We do and the first time I went with my son when he was 4 and his teets were perfect....
If you have some issues with your teet, then you might want to take your kids in early...

I have four children, all with great teeth. I started them brushing as soon as they had teeth. When they were really small we just used the water and I even used a washcloth to clean their teeth. By the time they were a year old, we started using a very small amount of toothpaste. Use the kid brands and check to see if Oragel has a baby tooth paste. As long as they don't use a large amount of toothpaste you will be fine.

J.,

I went to the dentist just before my daughter's first birthday and asked when I should start taking her in to the dentist and she told me it wasn't necessary yet. She recommended trying the toothbrush that you put over your finger and just using water, not toothpaste. She said at this age they tend to swallow and not understand to spit. She said not to even use the childrens non-flouride toothpaste that came with the brush. My daughter did not like the toothbrush that went over my finger, so I then got a childrens toothbrush that is just a tiny toothbrush but it has a fat handle with bumps on it. Now nearly every night and every morning when I am brushing my teeth my daughter comes in and asks to brush her teeth too. I just put water on the brush and she will scrub her teeth for a long time. Sometimes I ask her if she wants to brush her teeth and she isn't interested so I don't push it since normally she wants to do it.

Good Luck,
D.

Our Pediatrician recommended brushing with any children's toothpaste as soon as our kids had teeth. We probably use about 1/2 a pea size dab of toothpaste (we use Children's Aquafresh because it was the cheapest). The Dr. said they will swallow it at first, but the small amount won't hurt them, and the flouride is good for their teeth. My son started spitting the toothpaste out at about 3 1/2, after watching us brush our teeth and spit every time.

We had one dentist's office (in WI) who was trying to get me to schedule an appointment for my son when he was about 6 or 8 months old - he got his first tooth at 10 months. When I told the receptionist he didn't even have teeth yet, she just said, "Oh. . ." I felt like they were just looking for an extra exam fee. Our dentist here in Fort Wayne said they start seeing kids at 3. We took our son at 3, and he is very excited about going to the dentist. When I went and he didn't get to go, too, he was upset! :)

I would say that, unless your daughter is having trouble, save the dentist trip until your family dentist recommends she come in.

I think NOW is a great time. We use Toms of Maine non-fluoride toothpaste for our 18-month old son. We used to use just water but he started to really hate it and the flavor of the paste seems to be enough that he'll tolerate brushing. Any toothpaste that does not have fluoride is ok - kids this young don't understand about spitting it out, and ingesting the fluoride isn't good.

I haven't brought my son to the dentist yet - at this point his doctor looks at his teeth at his checkups - I'll probably bring him in sometime before he turns 2.5 or so. I posted a question about this a couple months ago - you can probably find the thread and read other people's responses about when to take your child to the dentist the first time.

Hi! Flouride free toothpaste is the only kind of toothpaste you can use in children that young. They can't have flouride in their toothpaste until they truly understand rinsing and spitting out the toothpaste. I have heard that dentists recommend not using anything but water until they are 2 years old, but something with flavor can usually help make the process more enjoyable so just make sure it is flouride free if you buy some! Also kids should visit the dentist before their 2nd birthday preferrably with the showing of their first tooth. The earlier you take them in, the earlier problems can be corrected so no big problems later! Anyway hope this helps!

I would start brushing her teeth with baby, non fluoride toothpaste as soon as she has enough teeth to brush. I started with just water with my son. When he was 2, I added toothpaste and he hated it. From 2-4 years old (and non fluoride to fluoride toothpaste) it was such a struggle every day to brush his teeth. I don't know for sure if the cause was he got used to just water and hated the toothpaste, but I wish I did it differently now. I have started brushing our 21 month old with non fluoride toothpaste (I use Orajel baby toothpaste or Tanner's Tasty Cream baby toothpaste found only on the internet website or fine dentists) from 1 year on.

As far as the dentist goes, pediatric dentists say they want to see your child from 1 year on. I think the ADA recommends that, but most regular family dentists won't see your child until they are 3. I called around and the only dentist in our area that would see my son before he was 3 was the pediatric dentists. The other dentists told me that unless there was a problem, there is nothing they can really do except to look at his teeth. I can do that myself and save the money. So, I just took my son with me when I went to the dentist so he can get used to the dentist and the office surroundings. He would sit in his stroller and watch. If your child won't do that, then I would suggest just waiting until she is 3. But, it is up to you. I waited and we are fine.

Hi J.. I used to work at a pediatric dentist office before kids. Deffinitely use a nonfluoride toothpaste now, it is not advised for them to swallow fluoride. So, until she knows how to rinse and spit the toothpaste out, use nonfluoride. As far as seeing the dentist, right now she is at the age recommended for a "happy visit". They usually do not do cleanings at this age, but rather make it a visit where they count her teeth and make sure there is no decay. They want to make her first visit as nontraumatic as possible!

In the infant aisle there is a toothpaste with a finger brush that gerber makes. this is what we used for our daughter. It is made for babies and I think it worked great. Also our dentist recommends at the age of 3 to start with the cleanings and check ups. Some dentists do vary though.

There is fluoride free toothpaste for young toddlers.

I am taking my son to the dentist gradually over the next few months, he is almost 21 months old.

My sister is a dentist and she says any toothpaste without floride is great for kids who can't spit out toothpaste. We used Oral B without floride, I think she uses another brand. If you are still uncertian, just call your dentist's office and talk to someone over the phone. Doesn't hurt to ask! Start brushing as soon as you can, to start great habits!!! Good luck!

When we took my daughter to the dentist for the first time she said to not even use toothpaste just water. The non-floride toothpaste gets them in the habit of swallowing it.

I took my kids at 18 months. the 2 older ones didn't have any problems. the youngest ended up with baby bottle mouth. they all see a pediatric dentist. and I think that helps alot. they are all teenagers now and have never been traumatised by seeing the dentist. I feel that has to do with picking a great dentist who your kids like. They made my kids feel like big people cause they got to go back by themselves and then i would go back after and talk to the dentist. the youngest was the hardest he didn't want to help get his teeth looked at so I had to go with. they did end up fixing his teeth at the hospital so they could put him out. but i think that helped him and the dentist get the work done faster. he hasn't had a cavatiy since. he brushes better than his older siblings so I think it matters when and how you teach them to brush. Brush her teeth how you feel comfortable. my kids actually laid on the floor when they were her age so I could see better to get all their teeth clean. Good luck!

You can bring your child to a dentist anytime they have teeth. Especially if they have all their primary teeth. (the front ones) The Dr. usually just does a visual check and becomes familar with the child and your family's oral history.
I have an incredible dentist for my son. His name is Dr. Green - ###-###-#### (located in Schaumburg). He is a general/family dentist. He works with a whole range of patients; adults, teenagers, athletes, mentally retarded (little city) and best of all kids! He is actually my father and my son's papa. He is so patient and fun and willing to create a connection with the child first and then work on oral health. Sometimes just coming to the office to play for 20 minutes can take away the anxiety for a child. They get to see the office and meet him and test the instruments(if ready)
then come back on another visit and they feel like they are in control and actually want to have their teeth cleaned because they have done this already.
It's so great to see that you are brushing even if only with water. Our Dr. recommended only a tiny tiny (less than a pea sized) amount b/c they still only swallow it.
Any kids toothpaste is fine. Dilute it with water first (under the faucet works) though or have her do it.
Making a routine will also give her confidence and of course rewards! My son gets to put a sticker anyplace he chooses after he brushes and spits. Majority of the time it ends up on my face!
Good luck to you and if you are looking for a dentist feel free to call me.
S.

Hi there! Oral B makes a flouride free toothpaste for kids in a couple of yummy flavors, it has Little Bear on the front. Also Gerber makes a "toothpaste" to use on young babies and toddlers...it comes with a fingertip "brush" for mommy to use on toothless gums, and the paste (Actually, it's in gel form...) can be used for older kids too. It has a fruity flavor. I'm on my 4th baby, so i know from experience! :) It's generally considered safe when the toothpaste is flouride free. Too much flouride in a young child can actually harm them. I hope i helped!

they have toothpast for kids my son is only well he will be 3 on friday dec. 7 and he got all his teeth when he was like 9mouths and we just baought him the toothbrush with the toothpast it is in the toothbursh alie with all the toothbushes and it comes i a pack with a bush and past and it is safe for little ones and my dentes told me that they will not see kids untill like 4 or 5yrs old but that is what me and my husban did if you go to like Wal-mart or K Mart the tooth past will be in a box with a little brown baer on the boxes and a boy i just rember that is what we strated him on well i hope everthing works out for you

We took our kids to the dentist at 1 year. They already had a few teeth. The dentist just did a check to make sure gums look okay and the teeth they have are okay... and did a little bit of polishing (my kids had some staining from vitamin drops). Baby Orajel makes a toothpaste. Oral B also makes one. There are a few others out there too.

I think definitely start brushing her teeth now - it's not so much for the brushing as it is for forming the habit, and the older she gets the more resistant she'll be to a change like that. We started brushing our son's teeth at about 5 months because he got teeth really early.

As for toothpaste, the Oral B brand is good. And our dentist says bring kids when they're old enough to be able to understand what's going on and sit still. My son's 2 and that's still not his situation, but I guess it's different for every child.