1 yr old w/ lots of teeth-how to brush them

[hilaryisinked]

I've been letting her chew on the tooth brush but we have tried holding her down and actually brushing them. Should we continue doing that or is her chewing on the toothbrush enough for now?

[kushie tushie]

Huh..not sure if letting her chew on it is enough but its better than nothing. We started brushing DS's teeth after the first one came in...about 6ish months. We also sing a tooth brushing song we made up. It makes it fun for DS. He really enjoys getting his teeth brushed now ( well unless he's cutting more and then he doesn't want us anywhere near his mouth....GL

[an_aurora]

At that age I lay them across my lap with their head hanging off, and tickle. They laugh and I have good access to their teeth. I also let them try themselves before I brush. A electric toothbrush with the rotating bristles is fun for them and they try to stop it with their teeth which gets them scrubbed. I say 'open and let me see those big boy teeth' and scrub if they let me, but if not then I lay them across my lap to do it.

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[dancermommy1]

Interested in hearing too. Right now we let ds chew on his brush while we brush our own.

[MCR]

I used to sit on the floorwith my legs open and lay the baby/toddler between my legs, so they look up at me their feet point in the same direction as mine. it's easier to control them and the brush this way. Tooth brushing is none negotiable I'd rather they just get used to it than have to have cavities filled by kindergarten. If they keep moving I stick their arms under my legs and keep them still.
It's really fast and they get the hang of it quickly.
Oh and for some reason they all liked it when I made motor noises while doing the brushing

[jeepmom]

My dentist does not recommend electric toothbrushes until at least 4 years old (I use one myself).
I sit on the floor with her back against my chest, hold her chin in my left hand, and brush (16 mo and 12 teeth). Then I let her brush as well. She doesnèt like it but isnt too upset.

[Erinne]

Originally Posted by MCR I used to sit on the floorwith my legs open and lay the baby/toddler between my legs, so they look up at me their feet point in the same direction as mine. it's easier to control them and the brush this way. Tooth brushing is none negotiable I'd rather they just get used to it than have to have cavities filled by kindergarten. If they keep moving I stick their arms under my legs and keep them still. It's really fast and they get the hang of it quickly. Oh and for some reason they all liked it when I made motor noises while doing the brushing

That's what I do. My dd had cavities by her first birthday, obviously, more to do with genetics than hygiene, but we are obsessive about brushing her teeth.

[hilaryisinked]

Originally Posted by Erinne That's what I do. My dd had cavities by her first birthday, obviously, more to do with genetics than hygiene, but we are obsessive about brushing her teeth.

I've always wondered how genetics played into it. My sister and I (27 and 21 years old) have never had a cavity and I don't think my mom was on top of our teeth brushing (and she just let us chew on the tooth brush). My DH however has had tons of cavities and so have his siblings.



I brushed her teeth in the bathtub tonight and she did alright. I'll start these other techniques tomorrow night.

[ho11yb]

After lots of fights with DS, we started asking him to brush his own teeth, and then we "help" get them actually brushed. Since hes more in control of it, we have fewer fights. Hell usually do the bottom teeth, then we rotate the brush and hell open for us to do the top and back teeth. Our dentist says usually you have at most 10-15 seconds so do the best you can at this age in a coup,e second increments.

[carriek38]

My DD's the same age as yours, Hilary. We've been brushing her teeth since just before her birthday. We have an infant toothbrush, so super soft w/ a gum massager on the other side, & training toothpaste. She likes the toothpaste, it tastes good. We let her sit on the bathroom vanity & she looks at herself in the mirror & lets me brush her teeth as we sing our made-up toothbrushing song. Then I let "Ellie do" & she munches on the brush for a few minutes. After a few months, she has actually started a little back & forth motion w/ the brush . She only has about 8 teeth, & I think the brushing actually feels good on her poor gums . She especially loves to have her tongue brushed.