Brushing Teeth

unaveragejane · September 2014

Is there a trick to teaching toddlers how to not swallow toothpaste? I'm still using baby toothpaste with N bc he can't reach the sink to spit, even standing on the stool. I have tried holding him up, but by the time he gets water in his mouth and I lift him, he has swallowed the water or spits and misses the sink altogether. Should I get him to spit in a bowl? Buy a taller stool? Wait longer before switching to fluoride toothpaste?

Also, what's the safest toothpaste to use when we switch?

bumpuser9353653 · September 2014

I'd wait longer if he's not getting the spit in the sink thing yet.. We use a tiny little dot of fluoride free stuff still, sometimes just water, no paste. I think the brushing motion and habit are more important than actual toothpaste when they're so young.

sarenu1 · September 2014

We have a step stool that she uses (full sized, with two steps). This one actually:

https://www.amazon.com/Cosco-11-135CLGG1-Folding-Stool-2-Step/dp/B002AAZGQG/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1411566752&sr=8-8&keywords=step+stool

It gets folded up and put in a corner once she is done.

Into+the+Kitty · September 2014

Yeah, I'd suggest a two step stool.

sarenu1 · September 2014

stringy813 said:

While we are here. Toothpaste to start with? We've just use water so far.

Does someone have a good suggestions for toddlers? I really want to avoid buying one that is bubble gum or fruit flavored.

It just makes her want to eat it.

abby8279 · September 2014

I love Toms of Maine toothpaste. Our Target used to only carry the strawberry flavor for kids. But now they carry the wicked cool (mild mint) flavor.

ETA: Not the age group you are looking for, sorry. The mint flavor is for age 8+ (although my 7 yr old uses it). The toddler training toothpaste is for 3-24 mo.

sarenu1 · September 2014

abby8279 said:

I love Toms of Maine toothpaste. Our Target used to only carry the strawberry flavor for kids. But now they carry the wicked cool (mild mint) flavor.

ETA: Not the age group you are looking for, sorry. The mint flavor is for age 8+ (although my 7 yr old uses it). The toddler training toothpaste is for 3-24 mo.

So what do I use from 25 months to 7 years. This is where I have issues finding a toothpaste.

Mandmeesh · September 2014

Am I the only one that uses a smidge of my toothpaste for M? It barely counts as anything. :-/

abby8279 · September 2014

sarenu1 said:

abby8279 said:

I love Toms of Maine toothpaste. Our Target used to only carry the strawberry flavor for kids. But now they carry the wicked cool (mild mint) flavor.

ETA: Not the age group you are looking for, sorry. The mint flavor is for age 8+ (although my 7 yr old uses it). The toddler training toothpaste is for 3-24 mo.

So what do I use from 25 months to 7 years. This is where I have issues finding a toothpaste.

Yeah I see what your saying. Even the strawberry is 6+ years I think. I don't know what I used in between with DD#1. Probably some crap with all kinds of bad ingredients. I wasn't very in tune to things like that back then. I am curious to see what everyone says b/c DD#2 is going to be 2 in a few months.

sarenu1 · September 2014

stringy813 said:

wait so is my answer the training stuff by toms? since she's under two. or go rougue like meesh and use ours?

I'm thinking of going rogue and using the Tom's mint one.

Mandmeesh · September 2014

sarenu1 said:

stringy813 said:

wait so is my answer the training stuff by toms? since she's under two. or go rougue like meesh and use ours?

I'm thinking of going rogue and using the Tom's mint one.

I mean-it's not like you're putting a tablespoon's worth. Or even 1/4 of a teaspoon. I can't see how that's awful. I touch his brush bristles to the tube so it's literally a speck of paste.

Into+the+Kitty · September 2014

I use the Toms Mint for her. I'm 99% sure after doing the research that the 8+ is just part of their marketing.

Unknown · September 2014

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sarenu1 · September 2014

mamalamb10 said:

Since we are on the topic when did you start brushing your LOs teeth? Z is 11 months and has like 5 or 6 teeth now and I feel bad we haven't started yet. Also what kind of toothbrush do you use at this age? An actual bristle brush or one of the finger tip ones? I keep meaning to look when I'm at Target but never remember when I'm there.

My doctor recommends starting with a wash cloth. No toothpaste needed. I don't think we started with a toothbrush until 15-18 months when we could get her to open her mouth more.

unaveragejane · September 2014

@mamalamb10 We started with a finger brush, but that was awkward to use IMO. We switched to a toothbrush, which N loved, then hated (due to teething), and now loves again. We've been using Babyganics baby toothpaste to get him accustomed to the bubbly feeling of toothpaste in the mouth. At first he would try to suck it off, but I prompt him to say "ah" and that usually distracts him away from eating the toothpaste. Our pedi recommended brushing or at least wiping as soon as he started getting teeth.

JEPES1348 · September 2014

Mandmeesh said:

Am I the only one that uses a smidge of my toothpaste for M? It barely counts as anything. :-/

I agree with PPs. We have non-fluoridated well water, so the pedi commented about starting a fluoride supplement at some point. My sister is a dental hygienist, so I direct my questions to her. She said current research suggests that systemic fluoride is essentially ineffective, and topical is really the way to go- so I'll be passing on the supplement. And yes to wiping with a washcloth when teeth first come in, and eventually switching to just a smear of regular fluoride toothpaste for babies, and a pea size for toddlers.

We just use our toothpaste for P. Though I never really thought of that as rogue.

JEPES1348 · September 2014

Sorry I didn't also quote you to agree, MK.

CLLDLL · September 2014

Yep, my ex-dental hygenist Aunt recommends starting with a wash cloth or guaze and water as soon as they get a first tooth. Regular toothpaste in a very tiny amount once they are old enough to let you brush (usually around 18 months). Then a pea sized amount as you start teaching them to spit.

Oh and if your LO's teeth are close together at all, start flossing. Also no reason to see a special pediactric dentist unless there's a suspected problem. A regular dentist is fine.

flummadiddle85 · September 2014

I don't think we started brushing until sometime after solids. But DS1 had a few teeth before he was 6mo and eating solids. I think there's some things that say don't worry about brushing if you're still EBF, and it's food particles plus BM that can decay teeth.... Not BM by itself. Or am I the only one that's heard that?

scottipino · September 2014

AAP changed their recommendations within the last few months from waiting until they can spit for fluoride to starting fluoride toothpaste as soon as they have teeth. Smear on washcloth/toothbrush twice a day. AAP also recommends seeing a dentist as soon as they have teeth but so far I have yet to find a dentist who follows those recommendations :-/

Rrrrrachel · September 2014

We brush in the tub and usually she just spits in there (is that gross?) we use toms strawberry banana since about two and xylitol toothpaste before that. She spits but I'm sure she swallows more than I'd like.

TJ1979 · September 2014

Rrrrrachel said:

We brush in the tub and usually she just spits in there (is that gross?) we use toms strawberry banana since about two and xylitol toothpaste before that. She spits but I'm sure she swallows more than I'd like.

Yes.

TJ1979 · September 2014

Chickypoo2468 said:

Is it tho? You know they pee in there, right?

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