at what age do you start brushing a babys teeth and how do you do it?

Question

brushing baby teeth

Answer 1

hi. you can start when the first tooth comes out. and wet washcloths do a better cleaning job at this stage. warning -- it's tough on your poor fingers if baby is a biter.... rub it on the gums too.

but i suggest that at the same time, use a toothbrush also, just to introduce it, in case you run into the same problem that i did.... you don't have to do a thorough job with the brush at this point, just let him get a feel for it and maybe tickle his tongue a little to make it fun for him. use kid's toothpaste with no flouride.

i used a washcloth for the first few months. then when i tried the toothbrush, he resisted. it took a while and many toothpaste flavor and toothbrush experimentation before he got comfortable with it.

with my second baby, i started brushing even before he got teeth.. i didn't have problems with him.

when my first son turned 2 i took him to a pediatric dentist. he said i could start using a tiny bit of flouridated toothpaste.

Answer 2

I started with my two sons when they were both young infants...maybe a month or so old. Twice a day I'd take a damp baby wash cloth and rub/wipe their gums gently with it. You can keep doing this (cleaning with a wash cloth) when they get their first few teeth. (Be careful of your fingers...those little teeth like to BITE!!) Once my boys had four teeth, I started using a brush. Oral B makes some nice ones with a Baby Einstein design on them. The bristles are nice and soft, and it has a large head...easier to clean the teeth with. Brush them like you brush your own, paying close attention to the gums. Brush gently. Be careful if they're still coming in though...the gums could be a bit tender.

Answer 3

Even though some people said you should brush your baby teeth after they got them, but I think the most reasonable time is when you start solid food for babies and they also have teeth

Answer 4

I actually started doing it about a month ago...he's six months old. I usually do it after my son's bath and when he gets up in the morning. You just brush any teeth and gums with the tooth brush. They have special tooth paste for babies that normally comes with a finger toothbrush. I use baby orajel kind...it helps with teething too.

Answer 5

You should start brushing as soon as a tooth comes through. Your baby probably wont let you do it so just put a pea size amount of baby toothpaste on a baby toothbrush and let him/her get on with it, they will probably do a better job than you ( if you know what in mean!!! ) At that age they put anything and everything in their mouths anyway. As your child gets a bit older you will have to do it, it might be an idea from now on to give your child a toothbrush and let them play with it under your supervision so they get used to it. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I started brushing my son's teeth when a few had come through and the gums were not really tender, otherwise it just makes the whole experience very unpleasent for them.
Another tip, have 2 toothbrushes, one for Mummy and one for baby. My son sucks his but allows me to brush his teeth as he has one in his hand!

Answer 7

You can start massaging a baby's gums at any time. Many stores have a brush specifically for babies that the parent wears on their finger. There is even a paste just for babies first teeth when they start coming through.

Answer 8

start brushing their teeth when they start coming through. when my son first got his teeth i bought a little baby toothbrush that is very soft and baby toothpaste. you put a very small amount of paste on the brush and just gently put it into his mouth and brush the teeth. i used to do it while he played in the bath while he was distracted then he started taking the toothbrush off of me and trying himself so i let him and just helped with moving it so it brushed the teeth. he's now 1yr old.

if you are in doubt ask your health visitor, they usually come round to talk about teething anyway, you could always ask her to show you how to do it if you are nervous.

Answer 9

Most dentists recommend that you introduce a toothbrush as soon as the first tooth breaks. Initially it is not necessary to use toothpaste, but you can if you wish. Don't worry about the child swallowing it, it will not harm them, in fact the fluoride in the toothpaste will hlp their teeth as they are forming. You should try to establish morning and night brushing and allow the baby to grasp and investigate the toothbrush too.

Answer 10

You should start with your newborn using a baby washcloth on your finger and swabbing the gums. This allows the baby to get used to having his or her gums cleaned. Then as the first tooth buds appear you may switch to a baby finger brush and brush 2 or more times a day.