Cleaning Teeth

[purpleme12]

My baby is 14 months old and only in last couple of weeks has she got her teeth - 3 coming through you can see at least 2 now clearly. So I've just started cleaning her teeth. She's most of the time knows to open her mouth now to do it however when she does she puts her tongue out because what she really wants is to taste the toothpaste that's on there but her tongue's in the way of her teeth. She doesn't understand I need to clean her teeth and she doesn't move it it's almost impossible to clean them. As well she just wants to toothbrush all the time so she can put it in her mouth- obviously she can't clean her teeth yet and doesn't understand that's what she needs to do - so again I'm lucky if I get to get the toothbrush on her teeth. Does this happen to everyone? I presume this must be a common thing? Do I just have to try and hope one day she understands?

[Jaffakake]

We used a brush baby till ds was 2 or something. The dentist never had an issue with it. Tbh do whatever works to try & get toothpaste into their mouths, but don't stress & have it lead to daily battles. If you try what you can, it'll be enough.

[purpleme12]

Oh thanks do you think it works?

Think I might buy this then - she's got her 2 front teeth at the bottom at minute and one's coming through only slightly to the right at top at minute. I guess this is worth a try thanks

[SoreArms]

We had the same problem with DD at that age. One thing you could try is a chewable toothbrush - you just put a little toothpaste on it then let her hold the 'brush' herself and chew it, like a teething aid. DD is 2.8 now and at 14m it was the only thing that worked for us until she was closer to two and would let us actually brush them with a proper brush (though still objects occasionally!) . Dd went to the dentist last month and he was v happy with her teeth and gums. They're not expensive - we got ours from Amazon
www.amazon.co.uk/Brush-Baby-111-Chewable-Toothbrush-Clear/dp/B00344IMVI?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[purpleme12]

OK I hope her teeth are ok till she lets me brush them then. I think I'll start brushing mine with her

[bramblina]

Just keep at it. My ds has only just recently let us properly brush his teeth, and he's just turned 2! Try doing it in front of the mirror so she can watch what you do, try brushing your own in front of her so she sees that you do it too. Just keep at it, every day, she'll co-operate one day. And don't stress, I'm sure you're not feeding her too much sweet stuff at her age so her teeth aren't really in danger.