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When did you start brushing LO's teeth?

WinesNotWhinesWinesNotWhines
in D.C. Area Babies
Apparently I'm full of questions today. When did you start brushing LO's teeth? I've read that you don't need to worry about it until they're a year old, but M already has 6 teeth. I will ask the pedi at his 9-month appt., but I'm wondering what other moms have done.
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Re: When did you start brushing LO's teeth?

  • amh_navyblueamh_navyblue

    As soon as there are teeth, start brushing.  There are tooth brushes that are the size and softness that is appropriate for babies and there is floride-free toothpaste that you can get as well (toothpaste should be floride free until they are 2-3 years old.  You don't need to see a dentist until around the age of 3, unless there are other problems you are worried about.

     

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  • doggylovrdoggylovr
    I started with a finger brush water only at about 8 months.  Before that, I would just use a wash cloth first thing in the tub befroe getting soap on it and such..then at about a year (he had 8 teeth), I use a toddler toothbrush and a tiny tab of toddler toothpaste twice a day.  I have found it to work the best if I brush while he is still in the highchair from bfast and dinner...i know that will have to change once he acutually spits and such but it works for now:-)
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  • SofkaSofka

    DS has 6 and we do it most nights

    I bought flouride-free toothpaste

     

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  • vtkgirl77vtkgirl77

    I think I started around 1 year with a toothbrush and water only. I don't know that I was actually doing a great job of brushing thoroughly but I wanted her to get used to the idea of it (rather than trying to introduce it later). Around 20 months, I started using flouride-free toothpaste. 

    I'm glad I started early because DD seems to really like brushing her teeth. Everytime we go into the bathroom she asks for her toothbrush. So, I'd say it's never too early to start getting them used to the idea and the feeling. I also made up a stupid song that says, "Brush brush brush, brush those teeth" which seems to make it more fun for her. So, I'd say to go ahead and start with it. It definitely shouldn't do any harm.

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  • Mrs.RamMrs.Ram
    imagevtkendra:

    I think I started around 1 year with a toothbrush and water only. I don't know that I was actually doing a great job of brushing thoroughly but I wanted her to get used to the idea of it (rather than trying to introduce it later). 

    Ditto this, though we haven't started using toothpaste yet with DD. She likes "brushing" her teeth at the same time as us. I use "brushing" loosely because it's more of her biting or sucking on the toothbrush. I try to get some friction at least once a day, but am often unsuccessful. She really likes to "spit" in the sink afterwards, because she sees us doing it (she's in a phase where she likes to do/eat what we do/eat).

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  • membrnmembrn
    My dentist told me that as soon as he has teeth, to start wiping them after every feeding with a wet washcloth.  Even after nursing. 
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  • Gigs2000Gigs2000

    imagemembrn:
    My dentist told me that as soon as he has teeth, to start wiping them after every feeding with a wet washcloth.  Even after nursing. 

     

    ditto--both the ped and dentist gave us this advice to wipe off the plaque. 

    I am presently terrified that my kids are going to have cavities, because basically every 3 y.o. I know has at least one! 

     

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  • Hey JellisyHey Jellisy
    imageMrs.Ram:
    imagevtkendra:

    I think I started around 1 year with a toothbrush and water only. I don't know that I was actually doing a great job of brushing thoroughly but I wanted her to get used to the idea of it (rather than trying to introduce it later). 

    Ditto this, though we haven't started using toothpaste yet with DD. She likes "brushing" her teeth at the same time as us. I use "brushing" loosely because it's more of her biting or sucking on the toothbrush. I try to get some friction at least once a day, but am often unsuccessful. She really likes to "spit" in the sink afterwards, because she sees us doing it (she's in a phase where she likes to do/eat what we do/eat).

    This is us to a T.  I would make a habit of YOU being the one who brushes, because my DD won't let me anymore and while she loves *brushing* her teeth, is not very effective at it.

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  • tracy042206tracy042206
    As soon as they had them I would use a wet washcloth at night to get them used to me getting in their mouth  I wasn't as good about this with Molly and brushing her teeth now is difficult.  Once they could hold something I would give them a toothbrush with water to chew on and then I would try and get some brushing in.
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  • Jitterbug2668Jitterbug2668 member
    We started the moment he got his first tooth at 9 1/2 months.  A friend of mine actually recommended getting a toddler toothbrush to introduce tooth brushing.  He actually loves to chew on it as a teething tooth as well.  We use a finger brush right before bed right now, no toothpaste of any kind just yet. 
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  • the_jackpotthe_jackpot member
    When he was a gummy little one and then when they popped through we continued.
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