When did you start using toothpaste for baby?

hbrooks88974

We currently wipe gums with a wash cloth before she bathes. She is a little over 8 months and is cutting THREE teeth (her first teeth). When did you start using baby toothpaste with your LO? 

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jesuisfatiguee

I'll start around age 2. Just water right now.

jorkz821

We started with kids' toothpaste last month I think? He has 6 teeth. Just used water with his toothbrush before. I only use a grain of rice worth.

angelashly

I believe around 1 but she was a late teether

quidditchcapn1120

The recommendations about when to use toothpaste change based on risk. There are a lot of factors including whether parents or siblings of the child have cavities (as the bacteria can be transmitted from person to person), whether you live in an area with community water fluoridation, etc. In general, for the average user on this site, I would recommend using a smear of toothpaste (not pea sized) once you can get baby to stand at the sink and at least attempt to spit out. For my own children I use a smear of toothpaste at age 1 and then wipe it off with a washcloth until they can spit it out. The pea sized amount of toothpaste should wait till preschool years.

First dental visit recommendation by the AAPD is at one year.