Brushing

We always used the little rubber tip on our finger. It's not so much like a brush but got our son used to having something in his mouth. Our sons LOVES the electric toothbrushes, so he uses that instead of the regular brushes. Just another thought. I've also heard other people talk about having the child brush mama or daddy's teeth and while they are brushing yours and having fun, brush theirs. Some kids go for the taking turns. Good luck, just keep trying!

Hi, my name is H. and I have a 14 month old boy. I am a Certified Dental Assistant and it is definitely not too early to brush! We started brushing my son's gums at about 3 months so he was used to it, but when he got older and more independent, he would stick his tongue out and not let us brush them. My husband and I have 'spin brushes' and he would always open when we use ours, so I got him his own spinbrush. Also, they have great tasting 'toothpaste' for infants. My son and I always play a game when we brush his teeth where I make funny faces and sounds everytime I brush--this seems to work and he laughs the whole time. You could also just let her hold the brush and chew on it--that is better than nothing. If nothing else works, I would just try to wash them with a soft cloth during bathtime or before bed.

Hi,

I sit in a chair and lay my daughter down on my lap. SO her feet are by my face and her head is on my knees. I then kiss her feet and play with her. Then I have her open her mouth and I can brush her teeth good. It's a much different angle. Much easier for me. But, yes, I do belive keeping at it and not stressing too much is the key.

Just keep at it. Actually, from what I just read, you are supposed to take her to the dentist as soon as she has teeth. Yikes huh?

The way I started was I would make the "chica, chica" sound to her and let her hold the brush in her mouth and try to make that sound. I would let her brush my teeth and watch me. I would just let her do her best and then try to sneak a few brushes in real quick at the end. Sometimes were better than every. Just do the best you can. Maybe even buy one of the those finger brushes that you slip and with the soft bristles. You can slip a finger in there and do what you can too.

Good luck.

I let my baby hold a tooth brush while I brush his teeth. I also brush mine in front of him while he watches me. If I have troubles, it helps to hold something of interest above his head cause when he tilts his head back, his mouth kind of opens, and it doesn't take long to brush the few teeth that he has.

And it's not too early to brush. I started out with one of those rubber-finger bristle things and he liked that and would suck the water off of it.

Good luck!

Hi M.,

I'm a mother of two kids, currently work as a dental rep and use to work in a pediatric dental office. As for a brush, I HIGHLY recommend an electric toothbrush, reason being; 1)this will help them get use to the sound and vibration similar to a hand piece (cleaning instrument) used in the dental office, 2) sit on the floor with them, head in your lap, this is a great way to see inside their entire mouth - if for some reason they resist (maybe as they get older) you can gently put there arms under your legs so their not trying to fight you or pull things out of their mouth, at such an young age you don't have to use toothpaste, but if you do make sure it's non-fluoridated. You want to wait until their old enough to spit in the sink to use the regular kids toothpaste. 3) take them to the dentist with you, or sibling, cousin or friend. Let them watch you do a "great job" at your appointment, then let the hygienist let them feel on their finger what their "toothbrush" feels like and don't forget to have them give her a special toy/treat/sticker for being such good girl, always create a positive experience.

Another thought, if you want them to have fun with it, let her brush in the morning, and you brush at night (your turn), this will eventually teach her how to brush while allowing you to do the really good brush before she goes to bed. Kids don't have the dexterity to brush really well until their about 7-8 years old, and the most the important time to do that great brush is a night, before going to bed with all the stuff they have eaten or juices they may have had all day. Once they start to get their 20 baby teeth in, start flossing immediately - they have great products that help parents floss their kids teeth, so it doesn't have to be just regular floss, that's hard enough for us to use:)

Limit juices for as long as possible, even though the labels say 100% juice, it's still sugar after it's all said and done, juice, snacking on carbohydrate and going to bed with the bottle are major contributors to baby tooth decay.

I applaud your efforts to take this challenge on, some kids do great early on and some need a little help, it's never to early to brush them, even massage their gums as an infant. I have unfortunately seen too many cases of baby bottle rot, it's so sad to see these little ones go through it.

If anything, always try to create the most positive experience at the dental office, also take them to a pediatric dentist, these dentist now days are trained to handle even the most difficult children and create a great experience. How many times have we said, "we hate going to the dentist," we can change that with our kids.

Let me know if you want me to send you some kids brushes (from the company I work for) for your daughter, again I highly recommend power brushes, there the fastest and best way for us parents to get in their tiny little mouths to do an efficient job, the brush does all the work!

Brush with her, Let her sit on the counter facing the mirror so she can see you and see herself brushing your teeth. They have flouride free toothpaste from Oral-B called Stages, put a little dab of it on her toothbrush, that'll get her motivated enough to stick it in her mouth. At this age they're starting to mimick and copy your every movement, be silly when you brush your teeth, sing a song and open wide and say "AHHH", Make it a fun time so she'll want to do it, if you try prying open her lips, she'll hate the experiance. After you're done you can get her to open her mouth (Say Ahhhh) when she opens her mouth give her teeth a real light quick brush, but dont force it, if she doesnt want to, she wont. Im not sure how many teeth she has but if she only has a couple then more are trying to come in and the area will be sensitive (my daughter has 7, with 3 coming in!) you can wet a washcloth, if its sopping wet she'll want to suck on it, which will make it easier for you to give her teeth a quick wipe but be careful, They dont know biting hurts and are just trying to figure em out, so she'll really give you a good chomp (Made me tear up.. still does) Its not too early for her to brush but its never too early to get her in the habit of good oral hygiene. Keep it up. Remember its more of getting her in the habit than anything else. Also, my pediatrician recomended me giving her a little cheese to bite on when Im not able to brush her teeth, Im not sure what it does, if it does anything at all. Good luck.