Forum Index
»
Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
When to start brushing teeth?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| OP - thanks for getting this topic out - I have asked Peds ( we see differnt ones when we go to our well visit appts and my dentist - all answers varied...in fact I don't think our Pedis ever brought up the topic. We did b/c we are on well water and did not know when to start floride treatment. We have DS brush teeth w/ water twice a day and just now started kid's toothpaste (18 months). |
Anonymous
| My daughter got a cavity when she was 3 years old and got it drilled and filled and it was...no big deal. I understand that good oral hygiene is important and we try to practice it as well as we can, but on the other hand, it's not like cavities are a fatal illness with no known treatment. |
Anonymous
| I think oral hygiene is an important habit to get into at an early age, but like the PP said, a cavity is not a fatal illness. My mother saw me brushing my 14-month old's teeth yesterday and was very impressed, telling me she didn't brush mine until I was about 2 years old. I didn't have my first cavity until after college -- not an excuse to not brush baby's teeth, but let's ease up on each other, and don't stress out if you haven't started yet or are not diligent -- just try the best you can, nobody's perfect. |
Anonymous
|
Anonymous
|
here is what the ADA say about tooth decay in children
What are the Effects of Early Childhood Cavities? Tooth loss Ear and speech problems Crooked permanent teeth Severe pain Poor self-image Tooth decay It is important, this isn't about being a perfect parent. It is about hygiene. |
Anonymous
she doesn't know a damn thing about my field of work or she would not of said what she said. Of course it is my job to educate and sugar coat parents, care givers. and access the oral health or lack of. I feel for those that work with her. |
Anonymous
| On a related note, when do you start flossing? We are already brushing but My ped said to start flossing now to get my almost 13 mon old son "used to it" but it just seems nearly impossible to actually do and silly when he only has 4 teeth which are all really far apart. |
Anonymous
for the spell checkers, sorry it is assessment of oral health. I am just typing to fast. and I do not sugar coat the parents, 
|
Anonymous
| I have brushed my son's teeth 2x/day since he had teeth so he's used to it, but something that helps is letting them pick out a toothbrush. We usually get a new one each month and he thinks it's really cool if we say "Let's go brush with your NEW toothbrush." Maybe even try brushing in the bathtub or buying them a toothbrush just for them to use while they are playing around the house. |
Anonymous
| instead of arguing these posts on this site - why not just Google the topic - seems like the internet offers a lot of information on these things........ |
Anonymous
| This is supposed to be a safe place where people can ask questions and pass along information. I think some people insult others on the board so that they can feel better about themselves. If they were so confident about all aspects of their parenting, they would be more interested in helping and guiding rather than putting others down. I'm sure all of us make "mistakes" but love and want the best for our children. Be good role models for your kids and respect others. This could be as important as teeth brushing. |
Anonymous
every child is different. I have one whose teeth touch and another with space. It is a good idea to get them use to it, but unless they are touching, it is not a problem to skip the floss, for now. I buy the floss for kids , it taste good so they like it. |
Anonymous
| Our ped suggested starting at 1 year with the non fluride toothpaste. All the peds at our practice have said that pediatric dentists who see or encourage visits before three are simply after extra money and ripping you off. |
Anonymous
| Does anybody know when you should start brushing with regular fluoride toothpaste? |
Anonymous
| You can use flouridated toothpaste from the beginning, just make sure you don't use more than the size of a small pea. I |