When to start brushing teeth?

[eza]

DS is 10 months old, has 5 teeth (almost a 6th). When should I start brushing? Now or wait until he is older?

[Charlotte91]

We've been brushing DD's since her bottom teeth came in. Just with water, so to start the habit early.
She's 10 months and has 6 teeth.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

As soon as they start getting teeth. Sometimes its a little hard in a little bub but you need to wipe them over with a facewasher a couple times a day and make sure he doesnt go to sleep with milk residue in his mouth.

[eza]

thanks charlotte any tips on getting the brush into the mouth.. Unless he does it himself, DS won't let me put anything except food in his mouth (even then he examines it closely before letting me.. lol

[[M]umma[M]ia]

Just let him do it himself... chewing on it should be enough to get them clean. Make it fun Let him watch you brushing your teeth and let him brush your teeth and then say "lets do yours, open wide!!". It might take a couple goes.

[eza]

I BF him to sleep most nights.. Does Breastmilk affect their teeth? I didn't think so...

[eza]

will give it a go thanks guys!

[surprised]

Eza from what I understand bfing to sleep can actually cause big problems for teeth (but is so wonderful for their general help!). We got a 'thimble'-like brush at first that was great - went on our finger and DS coped much better than with a normal brush. You don't start using toothpaste til they are about 18 months.

HTH xo

[helle]

I've read a study saying that breastfeeding to sleep doesn't affect their teeth. Because the milk only comes out when they suck it isn't pooling in their mouth and sitting in there as it would with a bottle. There was also a thing about its bacteria that I can't remember
Ds was bf to sleep til he was 17 months old and his teeth are fine (just ask my poor nipples XD)

[PumpkinZulu]

I thought it was only feeding to sleep with formula or cows milk that was bad? DD doesn't have teeth yet, but my MCHN suggests we do exactly what Charlotte91 suggested

[teresa]

we started brushing DS's teeth when he got his first two teeth. DH checked with the dentist about toothpaste and he recommended using it from day one. just the milk teeth one tho. so we brush DS's little choppers every night in the bath before he goes to bed. somedays he lets us do it other days he does it himself.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

Im not 100% sure on the breastfed babies teeth when it comes to milk residue. Bear with me and ill give the ABA a call



ETA - Just got off the phone to them and no its not an issue if they are exclusivley breastfed as the nipple is in the back of the mouth but it is an issue if bub is EBM fed as the teat causes the milk to pool around the teeth.

[eza]

Thanks MummaMia, Feeding to sleep is something I don't want to give up! It's one of my favourite moments

[surprised]

Ahhh thanks for clarifying that ladies. I was an EE-er so that's why I must have had it in my head. LOL I can't imagine any sane woman being able to EE over 12-15 months so I guess it's not too much of an issue (compared to say, giving a 3yo a bottle of formula to sleep)! ox