Toothbrushing and babies

[attheendoftheday]

I'm looking for some advice, oh wise mn parents.

Dd is 10mo and has a few teeth. When her first tooth came through the hv advised brushing just with water to get her used to it, which we've done. Recently dd has been ill and has needed a vile tasting medicine 5 times a day, and the only way I've got it into her is by mixing with orange squash (the alternative was a hospital stay and a tube down her throat so please don't judge me too harshly!)

Anyway, I think I should really be brushing her teeth properly with toothpaste because of the regular sugar, but how do I get her to rinse her mouth out afterwards? I'm sure there is probably a simple solution but my sleep deprived brain can't work it out.

She doesn't need to rinse out. Just be sure to use an age appropriate toothpaste and then only a tiny smear of it on the brush.
My DD 17months won't let me brush when she's teething so I let her suck on the brush. Dentist said that's fine for now.

All I can think of suggesting is to give her the medicine with juice at a mealtime, as that's when dentist suggest you can allow children to drink sugary drinks and other times to give them water. Hopefully someone will tell you why that is suggested- something to do with the eating producing saliva which then combats the effect of the sugar on the teeth??

I've never bothered getting mine to rinse, am I meant to?? I always use a smear of children's toothpaste.

No judging whatsoever from me re orange squash, you do what you have to do!

Yes, don't worry about it - you just use a tiny smear of baby toothpaste.

The guidelines these days are "spit, don't rinse" anyway, so don't worry.. At least you're brushing them!

Thank you very much! That much much more sense. Thank you for your help (and not decrying me as an unfit parent for my use of orange squash!)