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Original poster

Brushing 11month old's teeth

15 replies

LauraGas · 18/04/2007 17:19

My DS is 11 months old and has 3 teeth at the bottom. Thing is I have no idea how to brush them bearing in mind he can't spit out the toothpaste. Is it best to just use my finger with a watery toothpaste mixture on it or a toothbrush? Would it matter if he swallowed any? Gosh, this first time parenting thing is hard work!

Thanks!

OP posts:

geekgrrl · 18/04/2007 17:23

baby toothpaste takes into account that they can't spit it out so just use a little smear of toothpaste with a baby toothbrush.

bubblymummy · 21/04/2007 18:30

And, sorry to hijack this thread - how do I brush em? My 11 month old hates it and clamps mouth shut. I have a selection of baby brushes and also a MAM rubber brush/teether thingy. I can't seem to get this right. I've tried brushing my teeth in front of him and he just laughts. Not interested.

What do I do?

hoolagirl · 21/04/2007 19:43

Oooer, don't call social services on me but this is what I used to do as DS hated getting his teeth brushed.

I used to pinch his nose till he had to open his mouth to get the brush in, it was that bad.

I figured doing that outweighed a small child having to undergo tooth extraction!

chilledmama · 21/04/2007 19:46

Ring ring- yes social severcies please

Sounds absolutely reasonable hoola, its got to be done!

luckymummy74 · 21/04/2007 19:51

My dd is also 11 mths old, she only has 2 bottom teeth. I have just started using one of those silicone toothbrushes that go on your (our) fingertip. Seems to tolerate it. I don't use toothpaste as I don't think you are meant to with tose brushes. They are available from the PERFECTLY HAPPY PEOPLE catalogue/website.

Good luck all!!

PhoenixGirl · 21/04/2007 19:52

My ds is 15 month and we just give him his toothbrush himself and he just chews on it and sucks the toothpaste off but the dentist says its fine at this age and he's getting used to using it. He now lets me brush them after hes had a chew on it.

MorocconOil · 21/04/2007 19:54

I start to brush my own teeth when DD 22 months is in the bath, as though I 've no interest in whether she does hers or not. She usually asks for her toothbrush and I leave her to do it herself in the bath. She will let me do hers properly every so often. I reckon as long as she's getting the fluoride regularly and eats few sugary foods that will be ok until she can do her own teeth properly. May be very wrong though?

99redballoons · 21/04/2007 19:57

Second phonixgirl's method, or give them one toothbrush to chew and you have another, put the tap on, when they lean to get water on their brush their mouth is free for you to put yours in! The key I found was give them something to day, even if it's just putting their hands under the running tap (terrible waste of water I know!!) whilst you have a go. Also second baby/'under 6' toothpaste so they don't have to spit. HTH.

99redballoons · 21/04/2007 19:58

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PhoenixGirl · 21/04/2007 19:58

Oh yeah everytime ds steps foot in the bathroom he points to his toothbrush and goes 'ah ah ah' (thats all he says btw) as in i want it please

NewDKmum · 21/04/2007 20:02

For us it worked to make 'aaaaah' noises when ever it's time for brushing dd's teeth. She (13mo) now starts saying 'aaah' whenever she sees the brush - result mouth wide open - brain washing, I know

BrassMonkey · 21/04/2007 20:07

I just say "ahhhhh" and open my mouth wide, and DS opens his. He loves the toothpaste taste, but bites down on the toothbrush sometimes. I just try my best to give his teeth a brush in a few directions, getting ontop of them mainly so the bristles go behind and infront to get debris from where the tooth meets the gum. I wet the toobrush, and then dip it slightly in the baby toothpaste so it's mearly coated slightly in it. I do not over do it as he can get grumpy with it Voila!

Seona1973 · 21/04/2007 20:07

my 6 month old loves his toothbrush (he has 2 teeth so far). We just give him it to chew on (and stick down the back of his throat!). Woe betide you try and take it off him - he gets very agitated and cries - bless him!!

SlightlyMadSecret · 21/04/2007 20:17

Havn't read whole thread so I appologise if I am duplicating suggestions

I have read somewhere that it is acceptable to wrap a bit of muslin round the end of your finger, and use that as a "toothbrush"

Our HV actually suggested we give them the toothbrush with a smear of toothpaste to chew on. The chewing action woould adequately clean the few teeth they had at the front. The way we actually did it was to give DTDs their toothbrushes whilst they were sat in our cots. They looked at us gone out, so we went and got our toothbrushes to give them a little encouragement...and eventually after think we were mad they copied. They soon ealised that it wasn't bad and allowed us to assist them (fleetingly to start with, but they got better).

bubblymummy · 21/04/2007 22:13

Brill

many thanks for that - it doesn't seem so important at this age perhaps. I won't force the issue as he'll just battle (and win!).

Will take on board the advice (including hulagirl - you go girl!). Just don't want him having a bad time at the dentist.

Thanks again!

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