Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Original poster

When did you start brushing your baby's teeth?

28 replies

Seriouslysleepdeprived · 01/12/2012 18:08

DS is almost 8 months & had 6 teeth. We got him a tooth brush bug I'm not sure when to start brushing them. He just shuts his mouth & wriggles off when I try.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Original poster
Seriouslysleepdeprived · 01/12/2012 18:10

But not bug stupid phone...

OP posts:
OneNiceGreenLeaf · 01/12/2012 18:11

I started at about 9 months when the HV reminded me I needed to at DD's developmental check. I have to hold her arms down with one hand as she just wants to hold the brush herself and chew it! She did quickly get used to me doing it......but I still have to restrain her!

nextphase · 01/12/2012 18:15

We gave a toothbrush with a smear of toothpaste as soon as the first tooth broke through.
Now there are days when its not an issue in any way shape or form, and days when it is a battle.
If you've got teeth, you need to start cleaning them!

nicki1978 · 01/12/2012 18:47

We did the same as nextphase and it just becomes part of his routine. Xx

stargirl1701 · 01/12/2012 18:50

Best first toothbrush?

CarpeJugulum · 01/12/2012 19:03

As soon as teeth appeared.

We like Tesco's own brand baby toothbrush as it has a chunky handle so DS can grip it. We brush his teeth, then he "brushes" them after to ensure we did it properly Wink

hazeyjane · 01/12/2012 19:09

4 months, when first teeth appeared.

ceeveebee · 01/12/2012 19:13

5 months, when first tooth broke through on DS (we started his twin sister at the same time even though she had no teeth for another few weeks)

mosschops30 · 01/12/2012 19:19

You should brush as soon as teeth come through.
No water, just a smear of toothpaste, brush teeth and no need to rinse

Meglet · 01/12/2012 19:21

When their teeth first poked through.

Even when toothbrushing was a battle I stuck to it. At 6 and 4 they're pretty good these days, I let them do it once or twice a week. The rest of the time I do it.

PeazlyPops · 01/12/2012 19:28

At 12 weeks when his first tooth came through. He's 7 months now (8 teeth) and happily sits on my knee with his mouth open, teeth bared so I can brush them.

Original poster
Seriouslysleepdeprived · 01/12/2012 20:57

Gosh...I had better crack open the toothpaste then. Possibly another stupid question - do you brush them twice a day?

OP posts:
ceeveebee · 01/12/2012 21:03

Yes, after breakfast and after last milk feed of the day

YBR · 02/12/2012 15:25

Started with toothpaste on a clean cloth (linen hanky or similar) rubbed it on her gums tooth from as soon as teeth appeared; progressed fairly soon to brushing. At 1yo she's often fine to do it herself, with a bit of encouragement to use the correct end of the brush! Recently she's been tired and teething at the end of the day so if she's refused the toothbrush I've managed to use the cloth method again. Better than nothing!

Twattergy · 02/12/2012 16:49

About 10 months. Let them watch you brush your teeth and hand them their brush and they'll probably want to copy.

Twattergy · 02/12/2012 16:49

About 10 months. Let them watch you brush your teeth and hand them their brush and they'll probably want to copy.

TwelveLeggedWalk · 02/12/2012 16:52

We use these - they're like jelly teethers with little jelly plastic 'bristles'. Pop a smudge of toothpaste on them and let them chew/dribble in the bath. Not sure how much actual brushing goes on - although we try and wiggle them around in their mouths for them - but they seem to really love them, especially when teething. You can sometimes get them in Waitrose too.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 02/12/2012 20:48

When the first tooth arrived.

rhetorician · 02/12/2012 22:09

from the start - she is 1 next week, but she loves her toothbrush and cries when you take it off her...

ceeveebee · 02/12/2012 22:36

Reterician my 12 mo DTS is like your DD, he loves having his teeth cleaned and cries when it's over. DTD is the total opposite, I sometimes have to almost put her in a headlock to get the toothbrush in her mouth!

rhetorician · 02/12/2012 22:38

DD1 on the other hand still kicks up about tooth brushing at nearly 4. She does do it though :)

myboyismyworld · 03/12/2012 09:59

hiya, my son is 6 now but when he was smaller we started brushing his teeth as soon as he got them.

milkwagon · 03/12/2012 14:43

DD is 16 weeks and we mess around in the bath by using a smidgen of toothpaste on the end of my finger & massage her gums. Also use a MAM silicone 'brush' with a moulded end which she gnaws on. She loves it & hope it will pay dividends as she gets older. My mum did similar with me & have no fillings or problems. She took me the dentist from a very young age too and will do the same with DD.

Tanya32 · 04/12/2012 19:17

started brushing my Son's teeth about 7/8 months old.

MrsSmith87 · 19/12/2012 16:44

The chewable toothbrush mentioned by TwelveLeggedWalk are great.
They are from brush baby, Sainsburys do them to! great with toothpaste and they get tops and bottoms at the same time, also with teething gel after its been in the fridge! Soft silicon bristles are great for cleaning/soothng teething gums.
www.brushbaby.co.uk/