brushing little teeth

[magnum]

My little dd (nearly 10 mths) has just got her first tooth through. For a while now I've been giving her toothbrush to hold and chew on when she's in the bath with a tiny bit of toothpaste on. Is this sufficient or do I have to try and clean her teeth (tooth!) properly. She's not too keen on letting me take over the brush. Any advice please

Congrats on the first tooth!!

Ds is 18 mths and has almost the full set. At bedtime he sits on dh's knee with a muslin round his neck. Dh gently holds his arms while I brush his teeth. After I'm happy they've had a reasonable clean, I say "ds' turn now" and hand him the brush. He chewed it in the early days (first tooth at 5 mths) but now brushes with enthusiasm and extra brushing sound effects!

This way, he can brush for as long (or little) as he wants and isn't as likely to just suck off the toothpaste because his teeth are already brushed.

I think for one tooth, you're probably doing the right thing - getting dd used to the brush and where it goes. Get your toothbrush and brush your teeth at the same time and she'll most likely copy you (or nick your toothbrush! )

I reckoned that for just front teeth, as long as they chewed for a while that was as good or better than me trying to clean. Have to make some active effort when the molars come through (see my "Torture session" contribution to the "Songs you made up that you sing to your children" thread.)

Congrats. Bobsmum's advice chimes with that of the dental health specialist at my old Sure Start group and my dentist ? at first it's about getting them used to the brush. My ds (8 1/2 months) just bites the brush but I do usually manage to move it around a bit.

although never done it this way, my dentist suggested to put some tooth paste on my finger and then put it on dd (now) 8 teeth to get her used to the taste (if she wouldn't want a brush)