When and how to start cleaning baby's teeth?

My 11 and a half month old son FINALLY has got some teeth!





His bottom two hve just come through and an upper one is just starting to poke through.





I have got a little toothbrush and baby toothpaste ready but haven't started to clean them yet. Someone told me you shouldn't do it until he has a few teeth few as the enamel on new first teeth is very weak and needs time to harden before being exposed to brushing (?). I've also been told that you should clean them as soon as they come through, especially as he's breastfed and breastmilk has a lot of sugar in it.





I'm not sure what to do (or even how to clean them - he's too young to rinse and spit and is going to hate having a toothbrush in his mouth - he'll swallow all the toothpaste!!!). Can anyone give me some advice?

When and how to start cleaning baby's teeth?
You can buy special infant tootbrushes and infant toothpaste. We started brushing our son's teeth at the age of about 16 months when he got four teeth. It is quite a challenge as babies just suck of the paste and chew the brush, but now (he is 2 and half) he has got good at opening his mouth and doing toothy grins to make our job easier. He really enjoys it, and it keen to do it himself, although he doesn't yet have the skill to do it.


Also, it is worth getting him on a dentist waiting list if you haven't already done so.
Reply:Just take a soft cotton cloth and wipe them over and give him a drink of water....I didnt put toothpast on my babies teeth till she had a good few in there...
Reply:Start cleaning your baby's teeth twice a day as soon as the first tooth appears. Until your child is 1 year old, you can use a wet washcloth or gauze to clean your baby's teeth and gums. At about a 1 year to 18 months of age, you should start using a soft baby toothbrush and a small dab of toothpaste that does not have flouride in it. (This type of toothpaste is safe for your baby to swallow.)
Reply:they make toothpaste for babies that it's doesn't hurt them to swallow it. make sure it is a soft, extra soft toothbrush and it is okay to brush them now as long as you don't press hard at all.
Reply:most people have told me its best to have a dentist check his teeth out before you do anything once he teeth start to grow in to make sure they are growing properly.
Reply:Use a wet wash cloth to wipe them down. But also wipe the gums where he doesn't have teeth yet, as well as his teeth. Rubbing the gums with the cloth not only gets that area clean too but helps the gums as the other teeth come through.
Reply:if you want my opinion when the teeth grow you can start brushing his teeth but not with toothpaste use only tooth brush and when you think he is not going to swallow the toothpaste you can start toothbrushing him with toothpaste.
Reply:It was suggested to me that I start with a baby face cloth, using just 1 finger, and just wiping my girls gums and new teeth after every bottle and meal...with only cool water. Babies mouths are so small and tender that even the "baby" utensils and paste may seem too harsh for them initially. Don't go too far back, or he'll gag. Good luck!
Reply:when: NOW - seriously: now!


how: just start practicing on the teeth of animals smaller than your son - rabbits are great since they have those nice long chompers for chomping carrots (and they're fuzzy-fun to snuggle whilst brushing) - um, I would obviously try cats and dogs - duh - although I find that dogs MUCH prefer water piks over toothbrushes and that one out of three will **** in disgust if you try to get in there with a brush - and if you try will floss? Oh my god - don't try with floss - just more **** you don't want to know where





You can also try brushing mice and rat teeth, hamsters and guinea pigs if you have access, and if you want to get ready for the days when you son is actually bigger than you, you can brush sheep teeth and even horse teeth (but that is only really helpful if you son grows up with some horrible growth disorder so you can probably skip that) - and ducks! I almost forgot - ducks have weird teeth - dolphins too - try those.





And, with all the above, make sure you give these animals a listerine rinse once you're finished - I mean, THEY'RE the ones helping you, so you might as well thank them with minty fresh breath
Reply:asap. You can get Tooth brushes for milk teeth and specialised tooth paste which are available from most super stores. We try to make this into a game let your son watch you you might find that he will be keen to try and copy what you are doing.
Reply:You should be wiping their gums from birth. And then when the time comes, their teeth. You can use a soft baby toothbrush with no toothpaste for now, I wouldn't use toothpaste till they are about 14 months old, at that time you want to take them to the dentist for their first dentist visit. Even as toddlers they still need to see a dentist, this will help prevent or take care of any hygiene problems they may have or get.
Reply:ha ha i remember this one for the faces my kids pulled. dont worry about cleaning the babies teeth untill half of them have come through. your friend is right. the first teeth are quite soft. so best to be a bit gentle.



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