toothpaste or no?

[Marie000]

We just came back from Ariane's 6 month vaccination appointment and the nurses gave her her very first toothbrush to use on her brand new teeth.
They said we could either use no toothpaste, children's toothpaste or a very small amount of normal toothpaste.

What do you use and why?

 

[babydust1990]

I use baby toothpaste, because he swallows most of it And I think its encourages him to let us brush them when its got a flavour on I usually brush them first, then let him 'brush' them.

 

[August79]

We use a children's toothpaste because as the pp said, they swallow most of it. Right now we also use a finger brush. They seem to enjoy the brush on their gums and teeth.

 

[Kristin52]

We use a toddler toothpaste. And he has an actual toothbrush that he loves. We brush his teeth first then he brushes them himself.

 

[Randianne]

I use baby toothpaste. She doesn't like having her teeth brushed, but she loves the flavor of the toothpaste (strawberry banana!) so she allows it.

 

[CeeDee]

No toothpaste, just the brush with water.

 

[Starfish]

We've used a very small smear of normal toothpaste since our first daughter got teeth. They're supposed to have fluoride and I think some kids' toothpastes don't have it.

 

[Becky1987]

We've used a very small smear of normal toothpaste since our first daughter got teeth. They're supposed to have fluoride and I think some kids' toothpastes don't have it.

This /\ /\

 

[DaisyBee]

When Megan was a baby the p. Just said to use water, baby toothpaste is just for taste. We tried some baby toothpastes for her but she didn't care so stopped using them and just used water.

The same P. Now for Jordan says that we should use regular toothpaste as they have changed their minds about it, and babies need the flouride. ( there is none in the baby toothpaste). She said rice size for Jordan and it's ok that it's swallowed in that amount, And pea size for Megan who spits it out. ( well most of it!)

I still mostly use water though for Jordan.

 

[jd83]

When Megan was a baby the p. Just said to use water, baby toothpaste is just for taste. We tried some baby toothpastes for her but she didn't care so stopped using them and just used water.

The same P. Now for Jordan says that we should use regular toothpaste as they have changed their minds about it, and babies need the flouride. ( there is none in the baby toothpaste). She said rice size for Jordan and it's ok that it's swallowed in that amount, And pea size for Megan who spits it out. ( well most of it!)

I still mostly use water though for Jordan.

Huh, I am gonna have to look into this more now. Didn't realize they had changed their minds on the fluoride thing. I use the baby toothpaste because the ped. had told me not to use fluoride since they swallow most of it, but this was advice several yrs ago with my odler son.

 

[CeeDee]

When Megan was a baby the p. Just said to use water, baby toothpaste is just for taste. We tried some baby toothpastes for her but she didn't care so stopped using them and just used water.

The same P. Now for Jordan says that we should use regular toothpaste as they have changed their minds about it, and babies need the flouride. ( there is none in the baby toothpaste). She said rice size for Jordan and it's ok that it's swallowed in that amount, And pea size for Megan who spits it out. ( well most of it!)

I still mostly use water though for Jordan.

I'm curious about this as well. I'll have to ask my ped.

 

[babydust1990]

Oh I didnt know that... My hv gave me a toothbrush and baby toothpaste so Ive just used that!

 

[sequeena]

I'm in the UK and use toothpaste. I use halo n horns fruity toothpaste which has a lot less chemicals than most children's toothpaste.

 

[discoclare]

I'll tell you what we do, but I would consult a dentist where you live as this is not the same everywhere and you have got UK, US and Canadian ladies all giving opinions which may not be relevant to Quebec.

We use a small smear of baby toothpaste (Aquafresh with fluoride at 1000ppm). My adult toothpaste has fluoride at 1450ppm. They say here not to use adult as they swallow it but a small amount of the baby one with fluoride. This may be different to where you are as nowhere in the mainland UK (to my knowledge) supplements drinking water with fluoride. I know this is different in various (most?) parts of the US where fluoride is added to water which may be why some ladies aren't using any toothpaste with their LOs there.

 

[KatieKitty]

I think my son likes eating the tooth paste if I am honest. But I like to encourage him to brush his teeth.

 

[cookette]

We do not advise fluoride toothpaste untilt he child has effectively SPIT IT OUT!! Like everyone said, they swallow most of it right now. Excesive fluoride consumption can lead to spotting on the teeth and enamel dysplasia. Im sure people are using a tiny bit, but if you are on fluoridated water or on fluoride tabs, we do not reccomend using regular toothpaste!! Plus, many kids find regular toothpaste too strong in flavor...

 

[cmarie33]

I'll tell you what we do, but I would consult a dentist where you live as this is not the same everywhere and you have got UK, US and Canadian ladies all giving opinions which may not be relevant to Quebec.

We use a small smear of baby toothpaste (Aquafresh with fluoride at 1000ppm). My adult toothpaste has fluoride at 1450ppm. They say here not to use adult as they swallow it but a small amount of the baby one with fluoride. This may be different to where you are as nowhere in the mainland UK (to my knowledge) supplements drinking water with fluoride. I know this is different in various (most?) parts of the US where fluoride is added to water which may be why some ladies aren't using any toothpaste with their LOs there.

My health visitor today gave me 1000ppm toothpaste to use with lo. The packaging says (Colgate) 0-3 years 1000ppm and 4+ years 1450ppm. So our lo has been given a low fluoride toothpaste

 

[Casey3]

Our dentist said a toothbrush wasn't necessary, we just rub his teeth with his wash cloth/water at the beginning of our shower They said a toothbrush and toothpaste isn't needed til they're 2+ and have most of their teeth...

 

[CMarie]

I agree with Casey . . we just used a damp cloth with water and wiped down his gums/teeth at that age

 

[Zephram]

In NZ we are advised to brush twice daily for two mins using a little bit of adult fluoride toothpaste.