Brushing toddler's teeth

xxvickixx

I don't know how well I am expected to realistically brush my 20 month old's teeth. I try to do them properly, as in backs, fronts, sides in a circular motion but in reality he doesn't co-operate. I wouldn't say he hates having his teeth brushed but he won't open his mouth wide so I am just blindly wiggling it around.

Things I have tried are using a variety of different brushes, letting him hold the brush and have a go, then I finish off, showing him in the mirror what he is doing while I do mine too.

He doesn't have processed or sugary food but does eat fruit, he only ever drinks water and is breastfed several times a day so I hope his pretty good diet should make it less important but I am still concerned.

How can I brush well with out physically pinning him down? Would an electric brush help, is is recommended or not?

Also, if anyone has read this far...When would I need to take him to the dentist for a check up, and what would this normally involve?

Thanks.

brook2jack

Unfortunately there is a high risk of tooth decay when breast feeding an older child. Breast milk is very high in natural sugars and many little top up feeds during the day give just the right conditions for decay. Keep to no more than3 sugar attacks a day.

I advise a check up as soon as teeth through. It's just a brief look round but more importantly it's a chance to give advice on diet and brushing.

BitterAndTwisted

I wouldn't worry too much, they are the child's first teeth after all. In your position, when giving full-time care to a toddler I let the child brush his own teeth and then gave them as best a going-over afterwards as I could. As long as you're using a toothpaste containing fluoride all should be well and a quick chat with the dentist when you take child along for a check-up when you go for your own should put your mind at rest.

jugglebug

brook2jack wrote: »

Unfortunately there is a high risk of tooth decay when breast feeding an older child. Breast milk is very high in natural sugars and many little top up feeds during the day give just the right conditions for decay. Keep to no more than3 sugar attacks a day.

I advise a check up as soon as teeth through. It's just a brief look round but more importantly it's a chance to give advice on diet and brushing.

Totally agree and it also helps get them used to some of the odd sights and sounds of a dental surgery.

As for how well you need to brush.
To be honest not very. the youngsters are at very low risk of gum disease, so your main aim is to get the Fluoride onto the teeth regularly in order to get the enamel nice and strong. Obviously you are wanting to get bits of food out that are stuck on but you dont need to be breaking out the floss :-)
As for the technique I always think back to my time as an undergrad with a specialist in childrens dentistry when a parent asked the very same question.

His advice was.
Kneel down behind them so they are either kneeling on the floor too or sat on your legs.
Then .....
Holding the brush in your right hand (assuming you are right handed)

*Clamp your left arm over their chest and hold em tight!!*

So yes pin em down (I have been known to do it with my little boy when he decides he wants to assert himself, but he has come to learn that daddy always wins in this regard)

xxvickixx

Thanks for your replies, I will get him to the dentist soon then. Breastfeeding helps prevent tooth decay so not something I'm going to restrict. Will see if I can find the link to post.

xxvickixx

Here is the one I read
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/older-baby/tooth-decay.html and for balance this other artice found after a quick google from a dental point of view.
http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSSPrint/r.WSIHW000/st.31840/t.126759/pr.3/c.602579.html

I have to admit I thought that it was a contributing factor that is why I investigated to see how I could minimise the risks and was pleasantly surprised to find this out.

Buttonmoons

How about one of those novelty type toothbrushes, that have dinosaurs on the handle/cats/animals. My DD loved the idea that her dinosaur was brushing her teeth. She now refuses those toothbrushes marketed at her age group and insists she has an adult toothbrush.

Have you let him brush his own teeth? Then you could just give it a quick going over once he is done?

kjmtidea

My eldest 3 always let me do theirs but my little one (just turned 2) absolutely hates his teeth being brushed! I have tried pretty much everything and have now resorted to pinning him down and giving them a good scrub, he doesn't cry but just bites the brush.
He has been seeing the dentist since he got his first tooth, so I would take your little one sooner rather than later and then hopefully he will get used to the place.

brook2jack

xxvickixx wrote: »

Thanks for your replies, I will get him to the dentist soon then. Breastfeeding helps prevent tooth decay so not something I'm going to restrict.

Indeed breast is best up to about a year to 18 months old.
Unfortunately once you move to weaning and mixed feeding if you continue with many small feeds during the day and at night there is alot of evidence to say that there is a problem with decay although as with all research there is also plenty of evidence to the contrary.

Uk and US paediatric dentists advise in the older child when weaning prolonged breast feeding can cause decay. I personally have removed teeth on young children with characteristic "bottle caries" who were still taking many small breast feeding "comfort sips" during the day and were never bottle fed. This was with parents who thought they were giving a healthy diet.

Both the American paediatric dental association ,the British dental association and UK government oral health policy cite prolonged breastfeeding as a risk factor for decay.

brook2jack

This link explains things better than I can http://www.simplestepsdental.com/SS/ihtSS/r.WSIHW000/st.31840/t.126759/pr.3.htmln