first tooth, do I have to go out and buy a toothbrush?

[MrsMar]

My 6 mo has just got his first tooth, there's a couple of millimetres sticking out above the gum (explains his terrible mood today!) so do I have to start him brushing every day now? Should I wait for the tooth to be fully out, or start immediately. How on earth do you get a 6 mo to brush his teeth (tooth)?

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

You brush it for him!

Make sure you also get some toothpaste for babies.

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

You brush it for him!

Make sure you also get some toothpaste for babies.

[ILikeToMoveItMoveIt]

Whoops, I got carried away there

[mishymoo]

Yip - go and get that toothbrush! I'm sure my HV even recommended brushing my DS's gums (not that I did) before his teeth appeared!

It will also get him used to having his teeth brushed!

[BibiThree]

get him a cheap toothbrush to chew on (under supervision obviously) so he gets used to the feel of one in his mouth

[callmeovercautious]

Get him one now, have a quick go if you can a couple of times a day, let him play with it and chew it. It all helps them get used to the routine and helps hwen all of a sudden there is a mouthful and you really need to start brushing thoroughly.

[RUMPEL]

Yep - I brushed DD's gums with a finger brush before she got teeth. She is quite good at brushing them herself now - 17 months old and 10 now. It gets them used to doing it and having it in their mouth.

[MrsMar]

thanks everyone, I'll get one tomorrow. I guess a teeny children's one is the right one to get, and should I look for a soft one, or are all children's ones soft? I didn't know there was such a thing as children's toothpaste. I guess it's got less flouride in case they swallow it, I did read somewhere that children swallowing toothpaste was a big cause of tooth discolouration.

[shelleylou]

medium soft brush i was recomended by an oral health profesional. Ye macleans do a childs toothpaste called milk teeth which is good yes its got less flouride think milkteeth has 500ppm in it.

[MrsMar]

cool thanks shelleylou, got some in boots this morning.... toothbrushing here we come!

[shelleylou]

its ok, mite find it easier sittin behind dc so its same action as if u were brushing your own teeth if that makes any sense.

[MrsMar]

now that's a good idea! I just tried it in the bath this evening and there was probably more sucking the toothbrush than actual brushing, but I'll try your trick tomorrow shelleylou.

[shelleylou]

well it wont harm him 2 chomp on the tooth brush a lil bit with him teething. Hell get there soon been brushing ds teeth for a year and now he knows to open his month and wil quite happily try himself

[PhDlifeNeedsaNewLife]

I bought a fab baby toothbrush from a chemist in a teeny tiny town in mid wales and ds is deeply, deeply in love with it. As a result it is well-chewed, full of lint, and has been round the floor of every room in the flat. Do I know what make it is to order a new one? Do I heck.

Its handle is a teething-ring, does that ring any bells for anyone?

[MrsMar]

hmmm sorry, I can't help you there. I hope someone comes along soon with a suggestion.

[shelleylou]

i have a feeling its macleanes but im not certain

[BirdyArms]

PhD - ds2 has that one, it's Wisdom. I got his in central London from a big chemist's on Wigmore St behind Selfridges. Don't go into town regularly or I would offer to send you one.

[calsworld]

PhD - is this what you are looking for?

[shelleylou]

well i was wrong then hehe

[PhDlifeNeedsaNewLife]

that's it, thanks calsworld! (and birdy.)

[lollipopmother]

If you don't have any luck with ordering I work on the next road along from Wigmore St and am happy to pop in there and put it in the post for you.