when do you start to clean their teeth??

[alibo]

ds, 8 months has just had his first bottom tooth emerge, with the one next to it, just at the surface. should i be cleaning the tooth now, and what is best to use?

I started when her first teeth came through, or about to. I used a little silicone finger brush with no toothpaste to start with. As more teeth came through I started properly then with a little brush and children's toothpaste - she didn't like the minty taste of adult's paste - still doesn't.

Yes, you should now. Tho' dd2 turned 5 last week, and I still can't get that toothbrush into her mouth without her gagging

I would start now. I started as soon as their teeth came, about 3-4 months in my case. I use children's tothpaste too, Boots do a good one with a crocodile on the packet.

Start to clean them as soon as they come through, you don't have to use a toothbrush though. I found it easier at first to use a tiny bit of a first toothpaste on a muslin square and just rub the teeth with it.

I started when hdd' teeth came through. i would brush them first, then let her 'brush'.

I rubbed with a first tootbrush as this also helped them to relieve some of the teething pain. Can't say that teethcleaning is at its most thorough until 18 months or so (and really didn't take off until I bought the battery toothbrushed at over 2).