Do you or did you brush your toddler's teeth?
By Amy
@artemis432 (7474)
Abernathy, Texas
August 20, 2008 6:46pm CST
Do you brush your toddlers teeth - if so - how often? I try at least twice a day and after sugary snacks. Mine doesn't like his top front teeth brushed -the ones that really seem to need it but doesn't mind the rest. I also don't let him drag around a sippee cup all day with juice in it. I sometimes give him Mott's juice with less water but try to restrict his drinking to cold water. He likes it. Who knows how this will change when he gets older.
Do you nurse - I believe in nursing - totally - but the only draw back - not great on the teeth!
3 people like this
10 responses
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
21 Aug 08
I brush my toddler's teeth twice a day, and I also let him do it himself after I have done it, so he will get used to it and learn how. It is important to establish the habit early, and make sure they learn to do it well, so their teeth will be healthy and strong. I do give him juice, but prefer water. He does like water, and most of the time doesn't mind if I give him water instead of juice.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
21 Aug 08
How nice, another parent who cares about their child's health and hygeine - this simple habit can effect overall health.
I found Mott's which has 40% less sugar - not perfect but better.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
22 Aug 08
Then you'd like motts all natural with no added sugar. It may have high fructose syrup though, I'll have to check my husband did the shopping~
@Sillychick (3275)
• United States
21 Aug 08
I make sure the juice I buy is 100% juice with no added sugar, and I water it down a little.
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
21 Aug 08
We started brushing our daughters gums when she was about 8 months old. So when the transition to brushing came it was much easier. It also seemed to calm her down. I guess teething was rough business.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
21 Aug 08
Yes, teething is difficult, something I'm sure they'd like to skip! My son is 20 months and has a few molars to go which of course is sooooooo painful!
@dementia88 (900)
• United States
21 Aug 08
yes we brush our toddlers teeth in the am after beakfast and before bed. she loves it and after i say its time to brush teeth. she keeps yelling teeth until everythings ready for her. lol
no i dont nurse
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
21 Aug 08
That's so cute! I guess she really likes it. Its good to start healthy habits so early!
@arikiya (41)
• United States
21 Aug 08
My girls (ages 6 and 3) brush their teeth when they get up and when they go to bed at home, and my youngest brushes her teeth after lunch in Head Start (pre-K). I usually let them brush first, then I go over their teeth again, and then let them brush and rinse themselves. That way they learn how to do it and still get their teeth clean :) Now they have a lot of cool products out there to help kids learn how to brush properly, like the mouthwashes that leave a blue dye on leftover plaque. I haven't tried those with my girls yet, but they sound like a great idea.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
21 Aug 08
I want to get that mouthwash for my child when he's older and the fun timers that make sure they're brushing for two minutes which I guess is optimal for tooth care any less isn't enough and more (which I've been guilty of) can cause enamal to wear off.
So it sounds like they brush first, you go over their teeth and then they brush again and rinse? Very thorough. :)
Yay for parents like you that care about kids overall health and hygeine.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
21 Aug 08
How great that she enjoys such a healthy habit. If I give my son the toothbrush he'll brush for a little then chew on it - which I think is likely good for his gums but not so much for the brush!
@alfreedy (12)
• Singapore
21 Aug 08
to tell the truth i only use listerine or othr gurgling liquid to clean my teeth but it is sad that young people cant use it
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
21 Aug 08
Wow and you don't have gum disease, tooth loss, tooth decay or cavities?
My dentist always said gums were extremely important to take care of and brushing massages the gums and flossing -well flossing is the most important tooth care procedure. Gum disease can lead to things like heart disease.
Good luck!
@vanities (11395)
• Davao, Philippines
21 Aug 08
yeah i did..in the morning after breakfast and before sleeping in the evening..so that atleast i can establish a routine for the toddler and at the same time taking good care of his teeth although it still a milk teeth(temporary teeth)atleast the growth of the permanent ones will be align or same to that effect..@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
21 Aug 08
Yeah but milk teeth will be their teeth for many years. Cavities are painful and a gap in the mouth that will be there for years will look bad. And your soooooo right, establish the habit so when they have their permanant teeth - they will be permanant.
My dentists always tell me flossing is the most important thing though. One said, if you're stuck on a desert island and only have either toothbrush and paste or floss - better hope its floss. In school we saw pictures and learned the effects of gum disease. It leads to tooth loss but thats the least of it...it can also lead to heart disease and other conditions.
Great job with your toddlers - their are many moms who don't! Happy mylotting.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
21 Aug 08
I nursed all 3 of my kids and I never noticed it having a bad effect on their teeth. My kids are 5, 3 and 1. They brush their teeth in the morning and at night before bed. The baby I usually just do at night because he only has a few teeth and i have to put him in a headlock to get them clean lol.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
21 Aug 08
I have to do the same with my toddler! He got his teeth early and had all of his front teeth and a few of his sides as well by one. And he's a biter, or used to be I think because sometimes I would gently bite him.
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
21 Aug 08
You already know that I nurse. I have had no ill effects on any of my children's teeth due to nursing. It is a lot better than the bottle on them.
My daughter is a little over 2 now. She LOVES brushing her teeth! She doesn't even mind me scrubbing them. The girl would brush her teeth all day long if I would let her! I just hope she stays like this!
I have had no ill effects on any of my children's teeth due to nursing. It is a lot better than the bottle on them.
My daughter is a little over 2 now. She LOVES brushing her teeth! She doesn't even mind me scrubbing them. The girl would brush her teeth all day long if I would let her! I just hope she stays like this!@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
21 Aug 08
I've always loved brushing my teeth too - it actually helps sinus headaches feel better. I sometimes wonder if I'm wearing off enamal! Great that she loves it - its a great habit! If there are any ill effects of nursing - the good outweighs that. I just wish there was more education about it. There are so many people who still (like my m-i-l) who believe babies don't get what they need and its so WRONG.
Different topic and one, as you know, I've gotten into.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
21 Aug 08
We started as soon as we saw teeth coming through, although it's recommended to even start before that. By now they can do it themselves, but it's always been three times a day, after each meal. They are so used to it, they do it automatically, lol.
@artemis432 (7474)
• Abernathy, Texas
21 Aug 08
I used cloth and those little rubber things before he had teeth - but he gt them really early! Its so great that you do that - so conscientious. I was always good with it when I was younger and never got any cavities while my brother got them alot. Of course we rarely had soda (big contributer to rottn teeth) and it was before sippee cups and gatorade.
Have fun mylotting.
