When do you start to use toothpaste on your baby

Tamika - posted on 06/15/2010

it's still to earily for toothpaste. they have some baby toothpaste in lows

Asisaba - posted on 06/15/2010

I have started my lil one with punch n judy ( stawberry flavour ) though in a very minute quantity atleast to brush the tongue very well.

Jennifer - posted on 06/14/2010

My son is 15 months old and we started brushing his teeth when he was about 12 months old. We use the kid's colgate (for ages 2-6) toothpaste with fluoride, however we put only the slightest smear of toothpaste on the brush. Since our water does NOT contain (added) fluoride I figured it's no harm to use the toothpaste. He's really only getting a taste of the toothpaste and is not swallowing any significant amount.

Natasha - posted on 06/13/2010

there is baby toothpaste and you are ment to use toothpaste from the day you start brushing

Stephanie - posted on 06/13/2010

You can give her a natural toothpaste like Tom's that does not have fluoride in it at any age. Do not give her fluoride until she can spit it out. If you swallow fluoride it can sometimes make you sick.

Carol - posted on 06/13/2010

I use the apple banana toothpaste by gerber on my son. There is no floride in it which as stated above you have it in your water. My son likes it a lot and likes to help with brushing but he's still getting teeth which means that lil finger brush that comes with it makes a nice chew toy while brushing.

Kimmy - posted on 06/13/2010

I started brushing my sons gums before he even got teeth. In the baby section they have baby tooth and gum toothpaste and toothbrushes. I think the name of it is Grins and Giggles.

Rachael - posted on 06/13/2010

My daughter is almost 15months, and at her 1yr dr. visit, they told us to keep using the baby toothpaste until she is two because ours has flouride. We found it in the isle with the bottles and things. It hangs up. We have also been brushing since she was about 3months old. She likes to try to do it herself. Good luck, I hope this helps.

Sarah - posted on 06/12/2010

There is a special baby toothpaste I've been using with willow. I found it in the baby section at walmart. Willow likes it.

Burcu - posted on 06/12/2010

as far as I know the right age to begin toothbrushing is 2,5-3 year with a special toothpaste for children with less flouride. Until that age you should just use water to clean her teeht.

Amanda - posted on 06/12/2010

We were advised that baby toothpaste is a waste of money because you use it so slowly it gets old before you finish the tube. Just use enough paste that you can see it on the brush. Our daughter loves strong tastes so is happy with a smear of cinnamon toothpaste.

Robbie - posted on 06/11/2010

my 15 month granddaugher is trying to brush her teeth with baby toothpaste, but i think she suck most of the toothpaste off.

Kharli - posted on 06/11/2010

I have been brushing my sons' teeth since he got them (6 months), but I did not start using 'paste until he got more teeth and started eating a lot more solid food (10 months).
I've always used a small amount of fennel flavoured Tom's of Maine all natural toothpaste. It is great! I know Tom's has children's toothpaste as well, but I just prefer the fennel flavour myself -- so that's what Hunter gets!

Gina - posted on 06/11/2010

I am a Dental Hygienist and mom of a 1 and 2 yr old. The ADA's guidelines on this subject are simple. Always brush your baby's teeth with a baby/infant toothbrush and you should be brushing their gums even before teeth erupt. They should not use kid toothpaste until they can actually spit out the excess ( usually age 3). There is enough fluoride in their water, food etc to take care of it's purpose. You should use infant toothpaste. The purpose of infant toothpaste and not water is the small amount of abrasiveness helps get small food pieces and stains off. The ADA also suggests their 1st dental visit be 6 mths after first eruption of tooth. That may seem early but it is generally for the child to be introduced to the dental office in a positive way. They get a tour and usually a toy. Great for them to be familiar with the office BEFORE a negative situation happens. Hope this helps everyone!

Heather - posted on 06/10/2010

I started brushing my daughter's teeth when she started getting teeth, she loves to sit on the side of the sink with her bare feet in the sink and the water running, she puts her toothbrush under the faucet and then into her mouth (mostly just sucking the water from the brush but sometimes moving it around over he teeth and gums) I try to brush my teeth at the same time as her so she can learn by example. she is 15months and I haven't yet given her toothpaste, although I have been thinking about it lately, but I know there is toothpaste specifically for children. read the label it should tell u the age range ...deffinitly do not use adult toothpaste as it has floride in it which is harmfull to babies. good luck and good on you for keeping up with proper hygene!

Jeniffer - posted on 06/10/2010

i asked my dentist because my little guy started using a toothbrush as soon a he got teeth and the dentist said to use children's toothpaste but not until they can spit! until then we just use water!

Melissa - posted on 06/10/2010

Don't forget to floss...! :-)

Stacey - posted on 06/09/2010

There is a baby tooth paste I started my son at one since he has half his teeth already lol you can go to any store they are flavoured fruity kinds bubble gum what ever kind you think she would like best I let my son brush his own teeth in the bath tub so it dose not get all over the place too

Jamie - posted on 06/09/2010

We started toothpaste when he was about 12 months, using the ones for toddlers, and then occasionally the ones for kids... but just a dab bacause of the flouride. he loves it!

Vicky - posted on 06/09/2010

I've used toothpaste on my little boy since he got teeth. I use the Aquafresh Milk teeth. I got a sample of it in my bounty pack I got from hospital. You only use a tiny bit on the toothbrush

Janelle - posted on 06/08/2010

Thankyou everyone for a wide range of opinions. Our water has fluoride in it, so I think I will wait until she can understand when I tell her to spit it out. We live in Australia, so not sure that I'll be able to get all the brands you've listed, but I'll have a look in our supermarket.

Thanks again.

Cara - posted on 06/07/2010

There are great natural baby toothpastes:

http://www.jason-natural.com/products/ki...

http://www.tomsofmaine.com/products/toot...

http://usa.weleda.com/our-products/shop/...'s-tooth-gel.aspx

I agree do not use the Orajel there are some very nasty chemicals!!!

Good luck!!!

Luci - posted on 06/07/2010

Until she can spit out the toothpaste, you should use a toothpaste without fluoride. You can overdose on fluoride and if you have it in your water (some bottled waters have it as well), she doesn't need to ingest anymore. Orajel has one, but if you read the ingredients, it has saccarin in it. Personally, I don't like that so I use Tom's of Maine Kid's toothpaste in Silly Strawberry. I found it at Whole Foods or you can find it online at drugstore.com.

Elysia - posted on 06/06/2010

ive been brushing my sons teeth since 6months when the first ones came through. Hes almost 15months and i still dont use toothpaste and have been wonder the same thing as some days his breath can b a little on the stinky side.
U def dont use adult toothpaste though its to harsh u can buy baby and kids toothpaste aimed at different age groups, i think colgate make one called milk teeth. just check out the toothpaste aisle at your supermarket. I think i have read though that they recommend waiting until the child can actually spit it out but............ im waiting till i see my child health nurse next and get her opinion on the situation.

Ashlee - posted on 06/05/2010

grins and giggles is what it is called! they love it too its fruity!! dont use anything but baby toothpaste!

Emma - posted on 06/05/2010

u can use the one u use on her teeth ive been usin toothpaste on my daughter since she got teeth

Melissa - posted on 06/04/2010

There is baby toothpaste. Baby oragel makes it. Definitely don't use our toothpaste because it has flouride in it, which shouldn't be swallowed.

Katrina - posted on 06/04/2010

Not for awhile. My sister in law is a dentist, and she says they don't need toothpaste until they can spit it out. My little guys have always crawled and walked around using the toothbrush and sucking on it until they are 2 or 3 years old. Kids need to get used to brushing in little circles before we add toothpaste. any toothpaste they like is fine, once they are ready.

Brittany - posted on 06/03/2010

Once her teeth came in, we started brushing her teeth with baby/children's toothpaste. Oragel is the maker and you can usually buy them with special infant toothbrushes, too.

Amy - posted on 06/02/2010

u should start brushing baby's gums at 4 months w/ baby orajel and a finger tooth brush. and they should be seen by a pediatric dentist by the 1st tooth or 1st birthday. :)

Carisa - posted on 06/02/2010

Orajel and Gerber both make baby toothpaste (find it either in the toothpaste aisle or baby aisle of your store) I wasn't comfortable using flouride tooth paste until my daughter wasn't swallowing it...if there is flouride added to your water, she should be getting enough.

Megan - posted on 06/02/2010

You should be using a fluoride toothpaste as soon as she gets her first tooth... just a smudge on the brush, barely anything at all.. My 14.5 month old daughter brushes her own teeth first, then i do her teeth and gums to make sure they`re done properly (morning and night)

Oh, and you dont NEED a special baby toothpaste, it can just be any non-whitening/ any other added agent. :) Hope this helps!

Beck - posted on 06/01/2010

I thought it was age 2yrs? I dont use any with my little man who is 15mths but do know there are kid versions. There is some at the health food shop which doesn't taste as nice as some of the 'kiddy' versions but is a kid version but doesnt have the nasties. We use a toothpaste without the chemicals and with all products in out house.

Marabeth - posted on 05/31/2010

i just use water since i can't imagine the baby tooth paste magically cleans her teeth really great and there's random chemicals in it.. i'm sure its safe for babies but with my baby i go with the route less is better. they definitely cannot have regular toothpaste until they understand how not to swallow it and you can be sure they understand.. adults aren't even supposed to swallow it. too much flouride is really harmful if consumed! and some have hydrogen peroxide (for whitening) which can cause stomach problems and vomiting. so my daughter is only 14 months but i think it's going to be awhile before i can be sure she won't swallow any and can understand my direction to spit it all out.

Rheannon - posted on 05/31/2010

Yay for brushing her teeth early! I started my daughter when she got teeth, too. I highly believe in it! There is a special baby toothpaste that I have been using on her since we started. I'm not sure the name of it but if you have a Wal-Mart in your area it is in the baby section.