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)?

You brush it for him!

Make sure you also get some toothpaste for babies.

You brush it for him!

Make sure you also get some toothpaste for babies.

Whoops, I got carried away there

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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

i have a feeling its macleanes but im not certain

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.

PhD - is this what you are looking for?

well i was wrong then hehe

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

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.