When do you first brush their teeth?

I have to ask this because I don't want to miss brushing teeth when I really should be. Rose has two teeth on the bottom, but they're not through all the way.. maybe even just 2 cm in [both]. Alyssa has none as of yet, but is really trying to get the first ones through.

 

We started at 2 teeth really... every night before bed. We only got consistent when DS started having 4 though.

 

I've read that you can brush their gums before their teeth come in and that helps clean the bacteria that reside there. That said, Evan has two teeth and I haven't started brushing them yet.

 

As a Dental Hygiene student (currently taking a break from the program till the twins are older) I have to reccommend start brushing before the teeth have come through. It is very important to keep the gingiva (gum) clean and decrease as much bacteria as possible even before the first tooth has come in. After the first tooth, start brushing twice a day, morning and night. Sing the happy birthday song 2 times to be sure you have spent enough time brushing. This is a good habit to begin. Also, it is never too early to start flossing....as soon as there is two teeth together. This decreases the risk of baby bottle tooth decay.

 

I don't do it every time, but I brush their gums. Neither have any teeth coming in and are all gums. But, i do brush them almost every other bath which I do ever day. They enjoy the feeling and the taste of the tooth paste so it's a win/win situation. I brush their gums with hopes of getting any bacteria off, and they get a tasty treat during bath time.

 

We started with just water once they had a couple of teeth and then at 2 went to low fluoride toothpaste.

 

We started once they had teeth.

 

I brushed gums sporadically, and then when they got their first tooth, which was at like 3.5 months old, I started using the finger brush once a day in the evening. That's what I still do.

 

We would wipe the gums before teeth with a warm washcloth. After teeth, we introduced the toothbrush and they love it. Right now, we brush once a day.

 

When they first appear, I just rub them with a washcloth as part of bathtime. Then when they have a few, I use the finger brush thingee, then when thye start clamping down on me, I'll get a real toothbrush after them.

 

We started right when we noticed the very first tooth coming through. We did mostly so they would get used to it. They were so little I just started with a finger brush and orajel makes a toothpaste for babies. Then we moved onto the toothbrush once they could hold one and put it in their mouth. We brush once a day now and we always make sure that we get their gums whether there are teeth or not. We are going to twice a day starting tomorrow though. Not sure why but just thought today that they should really get into the habit of it.

 

I started brushing their teeth when they got their first tooth and it was all the way out. :good:

 

QUOTE(itsnancycozzi @ Feb 13 2009, 09:18 PM) [snapback]1189433[/snapback]
We would wipe the gums before teeth with a warm washcloth. After teeth, we introduced the toothbrush and they love it. Right now, we brush once a day.


Ditto!

 

Does anyone else have trouble brushing their LO's teeth?

Do you have any advice to make toothbrushing more fun or at least more endurable for the boys (and for me)?

It is a battle of wills every morning and night for me. They are so pathetic when they are flailing about and crying as if I were pulling their teeth out instead of actually brushing them.

I tried to go back to using a dampened washcloth to clean their teeth and gums but I am getting bitten very hard every time, so that idea is out.

Also, they only have 6 teeth each (4 on top,2 on bottom) and lots of huge gaps between them, so I don't floss. Should I now be attempting to floss at this point?