Toothcare for a 15 Month Old

I would say, keep up the good work. My daughter was kind of like that when we started brushing her teeth. She is 2 1/2 now, and still isn't perfect. She doesn't really like it still, but its better than it was. She liked to play with the brush and paste, and still does. She never let me brush her teeth, but she is slowly starting to let me. I think it will happen eventually, just lots of patience and trying.

She's not too young to go to the dentist..they recommend babies go to the dentist 6 months after the first tooth appears so now might actually be the best time & they will help give you tips on how to care for her teeth!

Hello S.,

Brushing teeth can be tough - but I'd try as best you can. She isn't too young to go to the dentist, and I would get her there if you can. Her baby teeth DO effect her adult teeth, so it is important to take care of them.

Teeth don't go bad from foods - they go bad from bacteria - however, bad foods can make it worse. Babies aren't born with bacteria in their mouths, adults introduce it by pre-chewing foods, licking spoons or some other way of transmitting our bacteria salvia to them. It happens all the time and most parents don't even know it, until their children show signs of poor dental health.

Try to get to a good dentist and start to make brushing a daily habit. Sing to her while you brush. My almost 6 year old daughter STILL sings her "Brusha, brusha, brusha" song.

Positively,
M.

She's not too young for a visit to the dentist... I began taking my son when he was 12 months old, and goes every six months. His first several times there, he cried but it was great because it got his mouth open real wide while crying and gave the dentist (who is a pediatric one) a great look. This dentist does complimentary visits until age 3, every six months beginning as young as 12 months old, and all of my son's visits went the same way... He would sit on my lap facing me, lay back into the doctor's lap, cry, the dentist would look around and wipe his teeth with vitamin K, and then he got his token for a prize from the machine. Once he turned three last summer, I suggested he go back there on his own with his big sister- we had been prepping him for this- I figured he would just do better if I wasn't there, and sure enough he did! X-rays, full exam, the works! He can't wait to go back this month for his cleaning. Good luck... and if you are in the Puyallup area, I will refer you to this dentist, he is WONDERFUL, and so is the rest of the staff.

As for getting your child to allow you to do more brushing in her mouth... have you tried letting her pick out a fun toothbrush/toothpaste? Letting her brush your teeth, and then you get to do hers? Having her open wide like an alligator so you can "tickle" her teeth? With us, I let my three year old brush his teeth in the mornings and I get to do it at night before bed. That way I know it gets at least one good scrubbing before bed. Swishing with water throughout the day helps keep stuff off the teeth after eating, but I didn't start that with my son until he was an older two year old... not sure one as young as yours would be very reliable in that, unless she found it fun when you showed her how to! I hope it all works out-- and good for you for caring so much so early about your child's teeth... I am SO picky about my son's teeth too!

Kim

S.,

I don't know where you are located, but I take my 3-yo daughter to Dr. James Thomas at NW Pediatric Dentistry in Bellevue. I'm in Seattle, so it is a bit of a trek, but it's only a couple times a year.

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Thomas and his staff. My daughter's experience has been wonderful, and it has included some restorative work (she has enamel problems on her molars). As an added bonus, he participates in all insurance plans.

The website is www.nwpedo.com if you are interested.

We had the same problem. Make sure she sees mom and dad brushing their teeth, and try to distract her when you're brushing hers. We count to 10 and she knows at 10 she's done.

I remember the struggles with my older son and brushing. My mother-in-law made a game by naming each tooth after someone he knew and 'tickling' that person. At first I thought she was nuts but when he would let her brush without a fight we used it too. Anything that works. Best of luck.

I bought and still use one of those little toothbrush things that goes on your finger.She's 2.5 now and still tends to fight with getting her teeth brushed so we had to return to the baby brush because she too would play with her tooth brush and NEVER get her teeth cleaned.

It sounds like your doing a great job tho so keep up the good work and in time she'll get better about it.

A little secret that helped us immensly was...if you lay the child back, they tend to open their mouth better (provided to us by my dad in law who is a dentist). Also, sometimes doing it so they can see in a mirror helps amuse them. I also give my son a toothbrush while I brush his teeth with another brush. You are not alone! It's still tough to do and he's 18 months.

Hi S.,

We had the same struggle with both of my boys when they were that age. It's tough for them because their gums are so new and sensitive, even more so with more new teeth coming in. A few things that helped with us were praising them when they cooperated and tried to make it fun, giving them a turn first (they really like the taste of the baby toothpaste and feeling like they can do it themselves) and then telling them that it's mommy/daddy's turn, being as gentle as possible, and just having it be a part of the bedtime and morning routine so they know to expect it.

I definitely suggest getting a baby toothbrush and toothpaste. The baby toothpaste is safe to swallow, and the kids really like the taste, which helps them want to participate in getting their teeth brushed. As for the toothbrush, I suggest getting the widest head with the shortest bristles possible amongst the baby toothbrushes. The sugars are the worst for their teeth, but any food will create plaque that builds up on the teeth, which is probably what you're seeing, and you need something with bristles to get and keep it off.

I also strongly suggest taking your daughter to a pediatric dentist. It's a misconception that babies and young toddlers are too young to see a dentist, when in reality, as soon as they have teeth, they should see a dentist. Teeth need dental care, no matter how old the child is or how new the teeth are. I'm not sure what area you live in, but I really love my pediatric dentist. They really make the visit as fun as possible, and they talk to the kids and explain everything in a fun way. Here's their info if you're interested:

Kirkland Children's Dentistry
Dr. Clint Worton DDS
620 Kirkland Way
Suite 102
Kirkland, WA 98034
###-###-####

Best of luck to you! :o)

My dauther is 17m and she doesn't fight brushing at all. I started as soon as she had her first 2 top teeth using the little rubber finger brush for infants. As soon as she got a few more teeth and learned to bite down I got the smallest, softest kids toothbrush I could find and started using that. We call it "time for brusha-brusha!" and she will rub her finger over her teeth and run to the kitchen. I let her hold the toothpaste tube (toddler toothpaste w/o flouride) and I stand behind her and reach around. I found that position to be a lot easier than in front of her. I try to be careful and avoid any spots where I know she is teething so it doesn't hurt. I don't brush long, just enough to make sure I get each tooth at least once. Lots of praise after, and if she is good and doesn't fuss she gets to have an adult size toothbrush to chew on (she likes to use them as teething toys). SHe only fights when she has a tooth that is actually cutting and really really hurting, especialy molars.

I used to work for a dentist and she isn't too young to have her first visit. Find a dentist who is kind and gentle. Take care of her teeth now, and all her teeth will be healthier, and so will she.

Actually, your daughter is not too young to go to a dentist. It is recommended kids have their 1st dental visit by age 1. My son had his 1st visit at 12 months. The dentist will go over your lifestyle to check for "red flags," talk about prevention & show you how to brush your daughters teeth correctly. We've been brushing my son's teeth twice daily with a little toothbrush. The cloth doesn't really get in in spaces between teeth. He cries every time, but we still do it. My husband usually holds him down on a bed & I lift his lips & brush. We do lots of praising afterwords. I recommend a dental visit for your daughter to make sure nothing else is going on.

Oh can I sing a song about the toothbrushing struggle... at least you can wipe her teeth, I would not dare stick a finger in my daughter's mouth - she will bite me hard!

Well I would second the training toothpaste (flouride free!), that has definitely helped for us and when she is especially resistant I will give her my toothbrush and let her brush my teeth while I am brushing her's.
I do have to admit though, if nothing else works, I will hold her down and just brush her teeth under screaming protest - what needs to be done, needs to be done.

As for the dentist, it is reccomended that babies have their first dental visit around age 1, however if you can't find a pediatric dentist (I am looking for one myself right now...) you can ask your baby's doctor to check her teeth, some pediaticians have extra training for this (ours doesn't...). I have read though that unless your baby's teeth are in such serious condition that they warrant intervention, dentists usually won't do anything at this age but a short look and educate the parents.

Good luck!

You daughter is not to young to take to the dentist. If you bring it up with your pediatrician at next visit, she may even reccommend you do. Better to things checked out. And go to a child dentist. They are much more kid friendly, although my dentist is great with kids too. But the kids dentist tend to have smaller things and are colorful and more fun than a regular dentist.
Brushing teeth can be sooo tricky. Trying using two toothbrushes, one for her and one for you and try that toddler training gel. I still lay my daughter on her changing table to brush her teeth, that way I can see what I am doing. Another thing to do it make it part the the routine and maybe incorporate a little song for it. We bought these toothbrushes called fireflys or something like that and they light up. My daughter loves them.
Hang in there - and don't feel guilty over it.

Both of my kids started going to a dentist as soon as their first tooth came in. I do not think your daughter is too young to go to the dentist. They would just skip the floride treatment.
Good Luck.

Yes - the daily battle for toothbrushing! Things that work for us (though not everytime, but enough that it gets the job done...) 1) have mom or dad brush their teeth to model for little one while brushing her teeth 2) make it playful (sing a song, laugh and be silly), 3) let her "brush" for a while and take turns with it, 4) stand in front of the mirror so she can see it, 5) use yummy tasting toothpaste so that little one will like to have the toothbrush in her mouth. Also, try doing it during different times of the day. Sometimes when Lucy, 15-months would expect toothbrushing, she would be more resistant that when it was more unexpected. Good luck!

Hi S.-
Keep up the wiping, it's doing some good. The toothbrushing got easier at about age 2 for our daughter. Keep showing her how you brush your teeth and let her chew on a toothbrush of her own. A friend gave us a blinking toothbrush that is a way to time the toothbrushing (they know it comes to an end). Also, I've heard a timer can be helpful. It suddenly got easier for us when our daughter saw that her cousins get their teeth brushed by their parents (ages 4 and 6). Also, when we gave her a choice be helpful, or be forced. The second choice didn't feel good for either of us and luckily she has chosen to be helpul...most of the time. It gets easier. It is frustrating, isn't it? Keep up the wiping. A.

Hi S.,

Your daughter is not too young to go to the dentist. She should see a pediatric dentist soon. They will assess the condition of her mouth, teeth and growth of her head and facial features (if they're a good pediatric dentist). My granddaughter just went last week at 17 months. They gave her a clean dental bill of health and showed my daughter how to get in and clean the teeth (the best she could). They even showed her techniques to hold kids while you do it. They admit it can be tough but to keep at it. Eventually the kids come around and are more willing to help out. Good job on keeping the sweets at a minimum. Sounds like you're doing all the right stuff.

There is a baby toothbrush that fits on your index finger, much like a thimble. It's got soft rubber bristles and you can insert you finger in your baby's mouth and use it to brush their teeth. Use a non-flouride toothpaste on it and them accustom to the paste and brushing action. It's great that they like their toothbrush, but they need to understand the business side of brushing and 15 months is just a little young yet to make sense of why they're doing everything. It's just a habit, something they see you do... brush your teeth together at the bathroom sink, kids love to imitate their parents. And she's not too young to go to the dentist. It's recommended that kids go to the dentist when they're a year old. There are several pediadontists (kids dentists) in the area who specialize in the care of these most important baby teeth and developing mouths. Best of luck!!!

It is actually recommended that you start taking them in at one, I did, but finding a dentist is tough, depending on where you live.

Your child is NOT too young. My daughter didn't have enamel on some of her teeth, so they began to have decay problems very early. Ask your family dentist for a referral to a pediatric dentist. They can clean the teeth and apply a sealant to protect them before the decay is too advanced to save the teeth.

S. some dentist will look at children as young as a year old they did my daughter because her teeth were comeing in behind her first teeth its hard to explane any way make some calls you may be able to find one that will at least look at her & give you some good pointers they did me & today my daughter has beautiful teeth & is 25 years old, just call some dentist & see you may be surprised at the outcome.Iam a Mom & Granma & we all live a healthy lifestyle. good luck J.

even healthy foods have sugar (and a lot of it) - so that doesn't really justify not brushing...Have you tried 2 toothbrushes? Let her hold one and you hold one (yours obviously does the brushing, hers can do whatever she wants to do with it...) Or, an electric toothbrush, might hold her attention. Also, is she standing, sitting or lying down? Try having her lay her head on your lap to brush.