teeth, when do i start brushing them?

[lanismum]

I have just seen my dd (8 months) 1st tooth, its not actually through yet, just a teeny sharp corner, should i start brushing it, or wait till its through the gum a bit more, i dont want to make it sore for her? shes my 1st baby so not quite sure what im supposed to do?

[bunny2]

I waited till they're through. You coul let her chew on a soft toothbrush, she might get some releif from it

[WigWamBam]

As soon as the tooth has fully broken through. You don't have to use a toothbrush, you can use a dab of toothpaste on a muslin or even on your finger to start with. You can get some lovely soft first toothbrushes though.

[lanismum]

thanks for answering so quickly, ill get a baby toothbrush later and try letting her chew on it, and ill try the toothpaste on muslin when its through properly, thanks again!!

[nailpolish]

these are great first toothbrushes

i would get one of these and start now

[nailpolish]

click on clean teeth and its the finger toothbrushes

[lanismum]

those look good nailpolish, looks like they may be easier to use then a toothbrush while shes young, cheers

[Angela2005]

Okay, I'm confused. Ds is 11mo with about 7 teeth now. The toothpaste tube (McCleans) says parents should supervise (obviously) to minimise swallowing. But how am I supposed to communicate to ds that he should spit out?!!!

[mamadeux]

Only use a very small amount of paste and it wont matter if they can't spit out.

[Angela2005]

thanks. what do I do to make him allow the brush in his mouth withot screaming?

[sophiant]

When ds got his first tooth I ask the health visitor what to do and she gave me a small toothbrush and a mild toothpaste pack that the dentists send them, cause the childrens' ones don't have enough fluoride. then on the 8month doctor's check they gave me a pack as they do officialy.ask your health visitor as they may have it. DS loves the taste and now at 13months he claps his hands when I pick up his toothbrush.

[sophiant]

Ps. never had problems with opening his mouth and you only need to use a small amount like halp a pea size of toothpaste, there's not that much left to swallow.

[Angela2005]

Thank you all, I'll try some of those ideas. He did actually love it when i first tried, liked the taste, liked chewing it. But then he's changed his mind! Letting him brush my teeth sounds a good idea.

[Rhubarb]

Letting him brush your teeth! Are you joking!!!! Mine'd stick it in my eye or something! I brushed both of my kid's teeth as soon as they got them. This way they got used to the idea. If they made a fuss I did it anyway and now it's a morning and night habit and I don't get any trouble over it. Start early before they know how to resist and then they just kinda take it for granted. I wouldn't pander to their whims though, if they don't like it - tough! If they don't eat, do you let them feed you? No! They just have to get used to it, otherwise they'll end up running circles round you!

[doormat]

as soon as the first one arrived

[Rhubarb]

Baby or tooth!