Brushing baby teeth

[Treasured]

My 9 month old has 2 bottom teeth which we brush twice a day, once in the morning then again in his bath at night.

He fights against the toothbrush and even myself and DP trying to look/touch his teeth. However, I managed to get a good look today and it seems like there is a little bit of decay on one of his teeth . Due to COVID I haven’t even managed to get him registered with a dentist which isn’t helpful.

I’m guessing the decay is because he has a bottle before bed and then falls asleep straight away so his teeth aren’t getting brushed after.

Does anyone have any ideas how I can get him to allow us to brush his teeth after the bottle without causing his stress and ultimately waking him up out of his drowsy state?

This isn't my area of expertise, but are you sure it is decay? I think back in the day they didn't generally brush babies' teeth, and the milk teeth held up for longer than that?

I mean unless it's Coca Cola in the bottle then I think decay is unlikely and so if there is decay more likely caused by an underlying condition than by a bedtime bottle. Could be an enamel defect or if the tooth has been damaged by ab accident?

@Starwatcher123

This isn't my area of expertise, but are you sure it is decay? I think back in the day they didn't generally brush babies' teeth, and the milk teeth held up for longer than that?

I’m not 100%, it just looks like a little white mark just above the gum line that didn’t go away after I brushed. I may have panicked myself in to a frenzy by googling and feeling like the worst mum ever!!

If it makes you feel better, we only brush our 13-month baby's teeth at night, which is what our doctor advised to begin with

@Potpourriandpennysweets

I mean unless it's Coca Cola in the bottle then I think decay is unlikely and so if there is decay more likely caused by an underlying condition than by a bedtime bottle. Could be an enamel defect or if the tooth has been damaged by ab accident?

Definitely not... I like to think I’m quite strict with his sugar intake. Thanks for your suggestions for other causes, I’ll have a look in to these too. First time mum and think I’m just blaming myself for everything

It sounds like it's just the enamel OP... We use a toothbrush which DS chews himself, but admittedly DS is much younger. Have you tried different flavour toothpastes to make it more of a treat? Or even a baby electric toothbrush, saw one in boots for about £10 I think...

@YawnyOwl

It sounds like it's just the enamel OP... We use a toothbrush which DS chews himself, but admittedly DS is much younger. Have you tried different flavour toothpastes to make it more of a treat? Or even a baby electric toothbrush, saw one in boots for about £10 I think...

I’ll have a look at this thanks! Myself and DP have an electric toothbrush so it might be helpful to all do it together and have the same

Does he eat the toothpaste? If so it could actually be fluoride spots from ingesting too much fluoride.

We use Jack and Jill toothpaste from Holland and Barrett (because we are woo). It comes in loads of different flavours, we use banana and DS loves it. Also is no fluoride... You will have your own opinion on fluoride but too much can indeed cause white spots so this could be the problem? May be more likely if you're in an area which already has fluoride in the water x

White spots on the teeth can be quite common and unlikely to be decay. You need to get registered with a dentist and book a checkup. They will be able to ease any worries you have.

I registered all ours soon after birth and they had their 1st checkups by a year old. The dentist doesn't do much but it's good to get them used to going early.

As a side question - when does baby need first dental checkup, ideally?

Thanks for all your replies, they’ve been really helpful

Oh OP, this is the brush we use for my DS who is 8 months (the one with the choking guard, not graduated to the toothbrush one yet)
www.boots.com/brush-baby-my-first-brush-and-teether-set-10215600

I was also tempted by this electric one... Maybe when's he's older! www.boots.com/brush-baby-babysonic-electric-toothbrush-blue-10243854

@Margo34

Some dentists won't even see them until all the baby teeth are in, which is a shame as that can take until the child is 2.5/3yrs by which time there could be decay and some health issues missed. I have had a dentist see my child from a few months old, though, as he was willing to check them whilst I had my appointment (to build the habit of coming regularly, I think the first couple of times he didn't really get a good look)