Hi all,

My DD got her bottom teeth through this week, they have only just broken through, but I don't know when I should start brushing her teeth and what I should do, i.e. Do I use a toothbrush now and if using toothpaste how do I stop her from swallowing it?

Can any one advise what to do / or what you did?

Thanks

I'd be interested to hear the answers to this question too, as although William has no teeth through yet (he's 8.5months), I was wondering about when to start brushing.

You can start brushing as soon as the teeth come through - either using your finger or a small toothbrush (most supermarkets sell age 0-2 ones, or you can get a rubber one that goes over your finger. I use Milk Teeth toothpaste - just a tiny bit, so there isn't much to swallow.

I've bushed both of mine's teeth as soon as they came through, ds at 4 months and dd at nearly 7 months - I did wonder whether to start dd's earlier, once she'd started weaning, it didn't seem right giving her food and not brushing her teeth, even though she didn't have any - I got mixed responses, there was no need to brush her gums but also no harm in going through the motions to get her used to it.

Squirtuk I'd probably brush your lo's teeth from time to time to get him used to having it done - as he's that little bit older, by the time he has teeth he might not like the idea of having it done, but no harm in getting him used to it/into the habit now - just my personal opinion though.

technically, you should brush them as soon as you see them. From experience, if your bubba is teething, the last thing theyre going to want is an unwanted object prodded about the sore bits. DS now has nearly all his baby teeth (I am GC from toddler) and I brushed his teeth nearly all the time when he was teething, depending on whether or not he got upset when I tried to put it in his mouth...I just stopped straight away and gave the brush to him to suck and chew on - youre only supposed to use a smear of toothpaste anyway and it says not to rinse their mouth as they need to keep the flouride in their mouths for as long as possible so I cant see it doing any harm..plus, I didn't want him to negatively associate the brush with pain from teething so I let him take it or leave it if that makes sense.

Then when he was ok and the teeth were fully through I opted for brushing every morning and night with a brush. I did buy a nuby bunny cloth thing - you put your fingers in its ears and use the cloth to clean their teeth...I used this first but in all honesty...I preferred the brush.

My DS didnt bother with the brush at first, then strongly objected for a while..but now he sits happily getting them done then takes it off me and tries to do mine lol so hes getting there.

Anyway..after the warbling...I say no time like the present!! As long as his little gums have recovered from the teething x

we started brushing at the first sign of teeth at about 5 months, i say brushing, i put a dot of baby toothpaste on a baby toothbrush and lightly brushed the gums more so he got use to it, when he was able to hold it himself i started to let him do it for a bit before i did the last sweep x

He's not keen on having you put things in his mouth anyway so think we're going to have problems when he does get teeth. The odd time I've tried to put teething gel on his gums most has ended up on his lip instead! I think I'll give him the brush and just let him play with it to get him used to the brush as you say. x

Thanks all,

Little toothbrush and toothpaste were bought today, so were good to go.

How did you get on?

I usually attack Joshua's teeth (2 just broken through at the bottom with a smear of toothpaste) in the bath! I'm also massaging the gums at the back so he gets used to it but he's not impressed!!

Another tip if you have your daughter sitting sideways on your lap tuck the arm closest to you under your arm then you can hold the other arm out of the way while you clean her teeth. Hmmm, not sure if that makes sense...

xxxx

William has got his first tooth through at 9 months old :0)
It's not through very much at the moment, can feel a sharp point and yesterday was able to see it properly for the first time. The last couple of days I've been trying to clean it with just water and the toothbrush to get him used to it, and tonight I used a little bit of toothpaste, and so far so good, he seems ok with it. I'm guessing it will be a bit easier once the tooth is properly through as then I'll have something to press against rather than not being sure if I'm brushing the tooth, gum, his lip, or his tongue!

I did it as soon as they came through - she has 2 so far and wish the rest would hurry up as we have lots of dribble, red cheeks and some grumpiness! lol.

I tend to use my finger for now, and give her the brush to play with and chomp on for fun - hopefully then she'll get the gyst of it later!