When do you brush DC's teeth at night? Before or after last feed???

[ILikeYourSleeves]

Hiya, my 9 month old DS only just got his first tooth yesterday, at last! I have started brushing his tooth, this morning (which was fine) then after his last breastfeed tonight. I normally feed him after his bath, then put him in his cot drowsy but awake. Sometimes he is very awake but most of the time still manages to fall asleep fine on his own. However tonight the toothbrushing totally woke him up after his bedtime feed, I put him in his cot as usual and then 5 minutes later he was wailing! He wouldn't settle so I ended up feeding him again to get him drowsy, then he went to bed fine.

I thought that you had to brush teeth after having milk, is that right? If so how do you not wake them totally up again?! What do you all do? Before or after milk? Do you do anything else after toothbrushing to settle them like a story etc?

Thanks!

[cockles]

It's a nice idea & good habit to brush teeth after feed but actually there's no evidence that breast milk does cause tooth decay so if you can't get him off without that nice dopey feed I wld stick with the current routine (esp as there is only one tooth!)

[mawbroon]

I would suggest brushing just before feed and then putting him straight to bed. Yes, there is sugar in breast milk, but it also has anti bacterial properties.

[ComeOVeneer]

All types of milk do contain sugars even breast milk. The saliva flow decreases significantly during the night reducing the rate that the acid (produced by oral bacteria from said sugars dissolves the tooth enamel) is neutralised. Therefore it is important that once the teeth are erupted an infant gets used to not falling asleep with a feed but feed then has teeth cleaned prior to going to sleep.

It isn't the worst thing you can to in terms of dentalhealth o do it the other way but it isn't ideal.

[ComeOVeneer]

There are no anti-bacterial properties in breast milk that will eradicate oral bacteria.

[mawbroon]

Here's a bit on Kellymom about it

Part of it says:

"Breastmilk also contains lactoferrin, a component in breastmilk that actually kills strep mutans (the bacteria that causes tooth decay)."

So, is this not correct ComeOveneer?