https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Tue, 12 May 2026 04:33:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-brushing-teeth#post-446894 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:31:07 +0000 baby98765 446894@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do brush our teeth at the same time and I let him watch himself in the mirror. Maybe eventually he'll start copying my movements and being more effective at it himself because there is no way I'm going to be able to do it for him in the short term. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-brushing-teeth#post-446814 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:51:14 +0000 yellowbird 446814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's very important to start brushing and keeping those little teeth clean! I know you don't want to scare him, but toothpaste isn't as important at this stage, but the actual brushing and removal of plaque is important. I've seen way too many three year olds with bombed out teeth and think, how did it get this way!? It's definitely possible to get a cavity even when they're so little.</p> <p>ETA: you can let him brush his own teeth for a couple of minutes, but makes sure you go and actually brush them afterwards. Little ones can't see all the surfaces. I always suggest parents do this for the first 5 years or so and then an assessment can be made whether they are capable on their own! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-brushing-teeth#post-446789 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 09:38:00 +0000 rachiecakes 446789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started when DS got his first tooth with a finger brush (I think I got it at BRU) and some flouride-free toothpaste. He loved going "aaaahhhh" and I'd wriggle it around his mouth so it made a funny noise. He thinks it's hilarious and we made it a part of the bedtime routine.<br /> About a month ago (he turns 1 in less than a week!) I introduced the beginner's toothbrush (I think I got it at Target). I started by having DH brush DS's teeth while I brushed mine and we both went "ahhhhh" making funny noises by jiggling the brush. Now I can brush his teeth without brushing mine at the same time and he's totally cool and entertained with it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-brushing-teeth#post-446718 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:45:31 +0000 purrpletulips 446718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We struggled with how to brush DD's teeth in the beginning. Our dentist suggested that just letting her chew on the toothbrush was a good start and to slowly add in actual brushing movements as she got older. I've also heard that kids will mimic you if you brush your teeth while they are brushing theirs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-brushing-teeth#post-446648 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:32:12 +0000 T.H.O.U. 446648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We practice taking turns when brushing. So I start and get the first brush (with some baby toothpaste) and then she gets a turn and basically just sucks the water off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-brushing-teeth#post-446636 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:12:52 +0000 SAHM0811 446636@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Brushing teeth is one of those things I'm pretty strict about because I don't want my kids having cavities at a young age. The thought of them getting anesthesia for dental work just kills me! </p> <p>So I've been bringing them to the pediatric dentist since they were really little. My youngest first went at 15 months. The ped dentist said toothpaste is fine. We use one called Spry because it has xylitol in it. Until she learns how to spit, we're going fluoride-free and a toothpaste with xylitol is the next best thing to fluoride in preventing cavities. </p> <p>I brush her teeth 2-3 times a day. She hates it but doesn't mind it so much now after I've made a routine out of it. She sits in my lap and I hold her arms in close and brush quickly. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-brushing-teeth#post-446628 Thu, 13 Dec 2012 07:03:25 +0000 baby98765 446628@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I guess he just had such a horrible time with teething, he hasn't let us anywhere near his mouth since he got his first 2 teeth. So until I can reason with him, I'm not sure how to brush his teeth effectively. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-brushing-teeth#post-446326 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:20:59 +0000 Mrs. Pen 446326@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>hmm that's weird the dr said that. DS's doctor really stressed how important it is to brush their teeth right when they get their first tooth. She said NO toothpaste, just water. DS loves when I brush his teeth though, I just run the toothbrush underwater, and lightly brush them for a little bit and then I let him chew on it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/question-about-brushing-teeth#post-445750 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 19:35:08 +0000 baby98765 445750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My toddler is a little over a year and has 16 teeth so we've started brushing his teeth before bed. We "brush his teeth" by letting him hold the toothbrush and chew on it. He will not let us hold the brush and actually brush his teeth. We don't use toothpaste yet because he such a picky eater I didn't want to scare him off brushing his teeth by giving it a flavour. I figured I'd just introduce the toothpaste at a later date. Is this bad? Should he be getting an efficient brushing at this point? </p> <p>When I asked at his 1 year appt, his doctor was kind of ambivalent like "sure, you can brush his teeth", like it wasn't a big deal yet. I'll ask again at his 15 mth appt but I guess I'm just wondering what others have been told by doctors about brushing teeth. </p>