New Teeth - Brush or Not????

I brush my toddler's 12 teeth and it was a struggle at first but she finally gave in. She can stand but even sitting, I have her back to my chest and kind of hold her chin and brush that way. The only reason she lets me is because she gets to "brush" her teeth by herself after. Start now, she'll get used to it and you won't have to fight her later.

as a hygienist i agree with the above and also never put anything but formula in a bottle not even milk and the bottle should be gone by 12 months
1st check up at at the pediatric dentist should be at one year or within 6 months of the eruption of their 1st tooth according to the acamdemy of pediatric dentists
its just an exam as a risk assesment and a question answer session not a cleaning

You can wipe teeth and gums with a washcloth/water. Or you can sell baby toothpaste and finger guards and clean gums/teeth this way as well. By doing either method it helps them become accustomed to something in their mouth when we really, really need to brush. Also, it is recommended that you have your first dental appt at 1 year.

I agree with the post. Wipe teeth after meals and provide water after meals as well.

Hi C.,

My daughter is 19 months. We started "brushing" her teeth as part of her bedtime routine as soon as they popped through. Just real gently while she was on the changing table getting her pj's on. We don't use toothpaste, little ones swallow it and it's not good for them. Just a soft toothbrush and water. We now have her brush in the morning and at night. She is used to it and it is not a big deal.

M.

Hi, I was told by my pediatrician to use an infant toothbrush, like the baby einstein and just warm water. My son got his first 2 teeth at 6 months and now at 13 months has 10, I just started using the toddler toothpaste, in very very small amounts though. Hope this helps.

My hygenist told me to start using small squares of gauze on my dd's new teeth and gums. Just wet the gauze with a little cool water first. It feels good on their teeth and gums. She told me to do this after every time she eats. It also gets the baby used to you being in their mouth. I did try this with my 4 yr old. I did not do this after every time she ate (too much work!). I did make sure we did it every morning and every night. Now my daughter has the habit already built in for brushing her teeth and doesn't have a problem with it. I made the switch and started using a toothbrush with her around 1 yr old. Good luck!

Hi C.,
Your baby is 8 months old? I'm so happy and excited for you that your little one has 2 new teeth!! I wouldn't use a toothbrush, but a terrycloth washcloth and gentle wiping of the gums should be enough to clean the new teeth. This is what I used to do for my kids. Besides, this is good stimulation for their mouth and gums. I hope this helps you. Let me know how things work out.

I agree that you should start doing teeth "brushing" (wiping down of gums and teeth as they come through) now. I did not and now I am battling with my 2 year old not to just "eat" the toothbrush when I try to brush her teeth. (I didn't start until after the year check up and then she was stronger and stronger willed. Good luck.

Absolutely! (as the sister of a dentist this is what she told me). You can wipe the teeth with clean gauze or a wash cloth...especially at bedtime. EVERY NIGHT! I also used one of those finger brushes and infant toothpaste around 10 months but we went straight to a brush the next month.

Also, my sister has this rule. NO JUICE IN A SIPPY CUP NO MATTER HOW WATERED DOWN....EVER! She advises mixed juice (50%) water at meal times ONLY ( or for a snack), but don't let the child suck on a watered down sippy cup all day...it just continually coats their teeth with sugar.