when do you start brushing teeth? [Archive]

tifttu

08-09-2008, 09:48 AM

I start burshing as soon as I see the first tip of the first tooth come in. If your Ds has brown spots, you need to get him to a dentist. My Ds has very bad teeth that started that way. The dentist told me to stop nursing and gave me some other things to do. I didn't stop nursing, but we did stop the decay process and he hasn't had to have any work done even though some other teeth have come in very weak.

I'm nursing DD the say way and so far her teeth look great. She's 15mos and has her first dental appt in a couple of weeks.

majubee30

08-09-2008, 09:52 AM

start brushing as soon as there is teeth. no need for tooth paste until they are ready to spit it out. just a clean tooth brush wet with water works fine. I would have the dentist or pedia check out the brown spots.

MaLeah

08-09-2008, 10:53 AM

i just started two days ago... he has 6 teeth n 1 yr old

ima062002

08-09-2008, 10:56 AM

When they get teeth. In the beginning you can wipe their teeth with a soft wet cloth or one of those rubber thingies that go over your finger and that have soft bristles. I used Weleda's toothpaste from the time they had their first tooth. Just a tiny amount. YOu'll need to use a paste that doesn't contain fluoride because babies swallow the paste.

Re. the brown spots I would would call a pedi dentist.

RedheadbyChoice

08-09-2008, 11:11 AM

As soon as they have teeth. :) I started brushing their gums, though, before they even had teeth, a few times a week. Just to get them used to the process.

And yes, consult a pediatric dentist ASAP, re: the brown spots.

StElmosFire

08-09-2008, 11:29 AM

I also started before teeth appeared.
ITA with Red about the brown spots.

_Gypsy_

08-09-2008, 12:17 PM

As soon as there are teeth.

Please, don't hesitate. Make an appt Monday with a pediatric dentist. My ds has had dental work, Red's ds has had dental work, a lot of others have had toddlers with dental work.

I found out what caused my ds's, but a lot of times it's unknown.

The sooner you can get it stopped, the less expensive it will be for you, and the less harmful it will be for him. That is, if it is decay (which it sounds like it is, but it might just be discoloration - only a dentist can tell for sure).

If you DO find that it's decay, please let me know, I will share my 2 years worth of knowledge with you on the best way to slow down/stop the decay.

NazirsMom

08-09-2008, 01:05 PM

how is tooth decay possible? b/c I haven't brushed his teeth?
he's not eating sweets or anything with sugar...
can it be a result of what I eat since I'm nursing?

okay I'll call his pedi on Monday and see if they can recommend a pedi dentist

thanks ladies....

now y'all got me scared

fell4myfallbaby

08-09-2008, 01:17 PM

a friend of mine had her little ones teeth turn sort of gray and found out it was because of a certain type of anti-biotic she was on while she was pregnant. so ask about that possibility if you took any.

NazirsMom

08-09-2008, 01:22 PM

i hadn't taken any antibiotics during pregnancy

_Gypsy_

08-09-2008, 03:23 PM

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL75514220080707

This is what caused my ds's decay.

I had Hyperemesis (the vomiting disease of pregnancy), and was on a food allergy elimination diet and not consuming any dairy or any source of Vitamin D. I wasn't getting it from the sun either because I was so sick all the time and rarely went outside.

Yes, not brushing teeth can lead to decay, but if a young toddler has decay there is a good chance that something else is going on.

I see in your AV that you are darker skinned, the darker your skin is the more sun you need to make vitamin d, especially if you aren't consuming enough other sources of vitamin d/calcium rich diet.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43711-2004May20.html

RedheadbyChoice

08-09-2008, 06:42 PM

It can also be genetic, in my son's case. We did the same routine with him as we did our girls, yet he's had multiple dental surgeries (another this fall coming up!) and the girls have perfect, wonderful teeth with no cavities.

Jacksmommy

08-09-2008, 06:44 PM

You're supposed to start brushing as soon as they get teeth. I didn't start really brushing Jack's teeth until he turned 3. He just wasn't cooperative, and I didn't push it. Only in the last few days does he tolerate me puting a tiny bit of toddler toothpaste in his toothbrush. In spite of all this, his teeth are perfect. Don't worry about what you haven't done. Just try to start brushing now. I think it actually helps to start younger because then they get used to it more easily.

NazirsMom

08-09-2008, 07:50 PM

I see in your AV that you are darker skinned, the darker your skin is the more sun you need to make vitamin d, especially if you aren't consuming enough other sources of vitamin d/calcium rich diet.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43711-2004May20.html

LOL at darker skin lol sorry I thought that was cute....

well there it is right there.....my calcium and potassium levels have been VERY low....so low to the point that if didn't go to the doctor when I did, I could have really done some damage to myself.....I guess I will start back taking the calcium pills....

You're supposed to start brushing as soon as they get teeth. I didn't start really brushing Jack's teeth until he turned 3. He just wasn't cooperative, and I didn't push it. Only in the last few days does he tolerate me puting a tiny bit of toddler toothpaste in his toothbrush. In spite of all this, his teeth are perfect. Don't worry about what you haven't done. Just try to start brushing now. I think it actually helps to start younger because then they get used to it more easily.

thanks for the reassurance....I will definitely get on the ball

Jmom1010

08-09-2008, 08:10 PM

Leave the past behind and try to do better in the future. That is all you can do. Get to the dentist to handle this current issue and move on, being a better parent because of this experience.

NazirsMom

08-09-2008, 08:34 PM

oh no doubt...start brushing from now on and call the dentist...

_Gypsy_

08-09-2008, 10:54 PM

LOL at darker skin lol sorry I thought that was cute....

well there it is right there.....my calcium and potassium levels have been VERY low....so low to the point that if didn't go to the doctor when I did, I could have really done some damage to myself.....I guess I will start back taking the calcium pills....

thanks for the reassurance....I will definitely get on the ball

LOL, my mother's helper is "brown" and she is just part of my family but I just never know how to point out something about someone's physical appearance, I'm very accepting of all people so when something physical is relevant I tend to get right to the point and hope I don't offend someone. In any case, I'm glad you weren't offended.

Unfortunately, if your toddler does, indeed, have decay, no amount of calcium or vitamin d will fix the damage that's already been done.

A pediatric dentist is a must, and you should look into your dental and health insurances to see if they will cover general anesthesia for restorative dental work for toddlers. Ours didn't. 2 surgeries and over 8K out of pocket that we are still paying off.

Xylitol is my favorite thing in this world for my ds's teeth. I brushed his teeth with Spry toothpaste, and later Xylokid toothpaste, and I wish I would have night weaned immediately after I learned about the decay.

What's super important right now is to brush his teeth after he eats or drinks anything, making sure to do a SUPER good job right before bed, use the Spry tooth paste for this, it's great.

http://www.homesteadmarket.com/toothzone.html if you get the Xylokid low fluoride and use it just before bed every night, and use the Spry toothpaste the rest of the time, that's going to be your best home care at this point.

http://www.vitaminlife.com/product-exec/PNAME/Spry_Infant_Teething_Gel/product_id/48931

Nipple_nectar

08-10-2008, 12:28 AM

Gypsy, tell me why you wished you had night weaned upon learning of the decay?

ima062002

08-10-2008, 12:29 AM

Relax momma.

Calling a dentist is in order. Teeth can be fixed :) and if you don't have it on film - we'll never tell ;).

_Gypsy_

08-10-2008, 12:56 AM

Gypsy, tell me why you wished you had night weaned upon learning of the decay?

Because ds ended up needing a second dental surgery and I believe that nursing him all night caused more rapid decay.

I understand and have read the studies, but those are for normal, healthy teeth, not decay prone teeth.

I was taking PERFECT care of his teeth in the daytime, the overnight exposure to the sugar in breastmilk is the only possible way his teeth could have further decayed.

Keep in mind I nursed my dd all night until she was past 3, but she has perfect, healthy teeth. My ds does not. Night weaning him would have probably saved him from having to have the second surgery.

My kids get very little sugar, mostly in the form of fruit, their teeth are brushed regularly and they have a whole foods, healthy diet. I'm positive that it's not something I *did*, like putting soda or chocolate milk in a bedtime bottle, however, I do believe I could have halted the decay with night weaning when it was known that he was decay prone.

Jmom1010

08-10-2008, 11:56 AM

Gypsy is that toothpaste only available online? I've never heard of it. We use Oral B's flouride free training paste and flouride drops from the docs.

BoobySnacks

08-10-2008, 12:18 PM

_Gypsy_

08-10-2008, 01:18 PM

Gypsy is that toothpaste only available online? I've never heard of it. We use Oral B's flouride free training paste and flouride drops from the docs.

I can buy the Spry tooth gel at my health food store, but the Xylokid is only available online as far as I know.

_Gypsy_

08-10-2008, 01:21 PM

DD has an enamel problem from Tetracycline. I get her checked twice per year and at almost 5 yrs, she still has no cavities, but some of her teeth are slightly discolored. I started brushing both my kiddos with a finger brush before they even started teething, sort of a gum massage with the flouride free toothplaste. As soon as I could teach DD to spit, which was very early, I started her on flouride toothpaste because of her enamel problem.

I use fluoridated toothpaste and ds doesn't spit. However my water isn't fluoridated and the amount he swallows is similar to the amount he would get in a supplement so his dentist said to not worry about the swallowing, but to also not supplement. He is 3.5 now and probably COULD spit, but I only use a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste twice a day, and the second time is after he has nursed to sleep when I brush his teeth while he sleeps so the fluoride stays on his teeth all night. The rest of the time I use non-fluoridated Spry tooth gel. Since I started this regimen, he has had no new decay, and it's been almost a year since his last surgery (I started this a few months before his last surgery).

tifttu

08-10-2008, 05:14 PM

Just adding that we used flouride toothpaste with DS before he could spit, per dentist recomendation. That's when his decay stopped.

NazirsMom

08-11-2008, 09:47 AM

LOL, my mother's helper is "brown" and she is just part of my family but I just never know how to point out something about someone's physical appearance, I'm very accepting of all people so when something physical is relevant I tend to get right to the point and hope I don't offend someone. In any case, I'm glad you weren't offended.

Unfortunately, if your toddler does, indeed, have decay, no amount of calcium or vitamin d will fix the damage that's already been done.

A pediatric dentist is a must, and you should look into your dental and health insurances to see if they will cover general anesthesia for restorative dental work for toddlers. Ours didn't. 2 surgeries and over 8K out of pocket that we are still paying off.

Xylitol is my favorite thing in this world for my ds's teeth. I brushed his teeth with Spry toothpaste, and later Xylokid toothpaste, and I wish I would have night weaned immediately after I learned about the decay.

What's super important right now is to brush his teeth after he eats or drinks anything, making sure to do a SUPER good job right before bed, use the Spry tooth paste for this, it's great.

http://www.homesteadmarket.com/toothzone.html if you get the Xylokid low fluoride and use it just before bed every night, and use the Spry toothpaste the rest of the time, that's going to be your best home care at this point.

http://www.vitaminlife.com/product-exec/PNAME/Spry_Infant_Teething_Gel/product_id/48931

not offended at all lol

thanks for the tidbits....

NazirsMom

08-11-2008, 09:50 AM

so what's safe for a 13 mo old? as far as toothpaste?

kohlby

08-11-2008, 10:38 AM

I thought you were supposed to start wiping off the gums as very young babies. (But you don't have to buy anything special, a wet baby washcloth is fine). DS's first teeth came in at 4 months so we started brushing his teeth then. For DD, it was 8 months. DS didn't eat one single bite of solids until 11 months, and barely anything until after 18 months. However, one tiny bit of solids can speed up decay when mixed with breastmilk. So, I'm diligent about brushing their teeth once they start solids.

*DS does have brown marks on two of his teeth. He was only on an antibiotic once. However, it showed up around the time I had thrush so I wonder if the gentian violet stained those two teeth permanently. He had dental x-rays and it was fine. I do agree that should get the teeth checked to make sure.

DS just started using a tiny bit of flouride toothpaste at night. He's 5 years old but has trouble spitting. (He's had some troubles with his mouth abilities all along, including difficulty eating solids). However, our water does have flouride in it and my kids drink water all day long. So far, all his dentist visits have been perfect. He did breastfeed at night until he weaned, which was right before 5 years old.

dodoe80

08-11-2008, 10:40 AM

I started off and on brushing DS gums (no teeth yet) shortly after he turned 3 months. (recomendations on tooth past package), primarily to get me in the habbit of brushing his teeth when he does get them and to get him use to it too.

_Gypsy_

08-11-2008, 12:54 PM

so what's safe for a 13 mo old? as far as toothpaste?

I'd use fluoride free through the day, and a TINY amount - less than a smear, right before bed of low fluoride toothpaste.

I put links to the products I recommend in a previous post :)

NazirsMom

08-11-2008, 01:01 PM

I'd use fluoride free through the day, and a TINY amount - less than a smear, right before bed of low fluoride toothpaste.

I put links to the products I recommend in a previous post :)

yes I saw the links...but it seems to me all you ladies have kiddos who are a lil older then my ds...so I wasn't sure if I could use this kind on him at 13 mo,
ya know?

so why flouride free through the day and low flouride at night?
well ds is at daycare during the day....

_Gypsy_

08-11-2008, 01:29 PM

yes I saw the links...but it seems to me all you ladies have kiddos who are a lil older then my ds...so I wasn't sure if I could use this kind on him at 13 mo,
ya know?

so why flouride free through the day and low flouride at night?
well ds is at daycare during the day....

Too much fluoride isn't good, and until kids can spit (theoretically), it's recommended to use fluoride free toothpaste - however, because you are concerned about decay, a tiny bit of fluoride containing toothpaste once a day isn't harmful, you just want to be sure he isn't swallowing more than a tiny smear of it.

I'd have the daycare start brushing his teeth after breakfast & lunch.

Did you call today for an appt for him?

NazirsMom

08-11-2008, 01:48 PM

I am calling tomorrow b/c I thought I had my dh had combined health and dental but since he doesn't I have to get the card from him tonight...so first thing on my agenda is making that call

can I get those toothpastes you mentioned at a wholefoods or health food store?

_Gypsy_

08-11-2008, 02:13 PM

I don't know.

The closest health food store to me is an hour away, they aren't a chain store, and they have Spry tooth gel, but not Xylokid. I order almost everything online because the gas to the city is crazy!

KerryS

08-11-2008, 02:51 PM

how is tooth decay possible? b/c I haven't brushed his teeth?
he's not eating sweets or anything with sugar...

If he's eating solid foods, then he's eating sugar. Breastmilk itself has a lot of sugar in it (lactose) and combined with bits of solid foods that remain on his teeth if you don't ever brush them, the combination can/will cause tooth decay.

NazirsMom

08-12-2008, 07:27 AM

If he's eating solid foods, then he's eating sugar. Breastmilk itself has a lot of sugar in it (lactose) and combined with bits of solid foods that remain on his teeth if you don't ever brush them, the combination can/will cause tooth decay.

didn't even think about that! thanks!

pumpkinhead7

08-12-2008, 02:46 PM

I started brushing my kids gums before they had teeth. I used "trainer toothpaste" that contained xylitol.

There are new studies that are showing that too much flouride can cause neurotoxicity, so it should always be used sparingly, especially if you have flouridated water and a non-spitter.

pumpkinhead7

08-12-2008, 02:51 PM

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSCOL75514220080707

This is what caused my ds's decay.

I had Hyperemesis (the vomiting disease of pregnancy), and was on a food allergy elimination diet and not consuming any dairy or any source of Vitamin D. I wasn't getting it from the sun either because I was so sick all the time and rarely went outside.

]

It's entirely possible that this is what caused your son's decay issues, Gypsy, but I too had hyperemesis and nursed my babies all night long and they both have perfectly fine teeth with no signs of decay whatsoever. I was not able to tolerate prenatals and got very little sun during my pregnancies. I don't drink milk and ate very little dairy. Anything is possible, but I don't think you should jump to blame yourself.