Brushing 2 Year Old's Teeth

Updated on December 01, 2007
C.B. asks from Midland, TX
26 answers

I have been brushing my 2 year olds teeth with just water. When do we start with toothpaste? I have heard that he needs to be using toothpaste, but he would just swallow it. So, what kind would be good to use that is ok to swallow. Or should i continue to use just water until he is able to spit in the sink?

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C.L.

answers from Beaumont on

They have toddler toothpaste by Orajel that is safe to swallow. My little one has been using since she got her first tooth....LOL! Walgreens has it and so do many other places.

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K.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hi C., I to use Koala Pals toothpaste from Melaleuca, they have trainer paste that you use under 2 and then when they are 2 you can start using the fluoride IF you want.
I do the trainer toothpaste in the morning and the fluoride at night, that way she isnt swallowing so much fluoride.
I hope this helps!
www.saferforthehome.com
www.stayhomemama.net

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A.R.

answers from San Antonio on

Once they have teeth you should take them to the dentist. When she was about 6 months old I did the baby toothpaste (without fluoride)but at this age you can give them toothpaste with fluoride just keep it pea-sized and have them spit out as much as possible. My daughters dentist gave a thick information packet when I had her first checkup and also was wonderful with her so if you need one definately try out James M doose, DDS
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L.F.

answers from Austin on

I think it's Oragel, but they have non-flouride 'first' toothpastes. You can put some on your finger and rub it on his gums, then have him spit. They love to be able to spit! Just make a fun game of it to get him interested, tell him he is such a big boy, etc. . .

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M.R.

answers from Dallas on

I have been using toothpaste for babies/toddlers since my little one got his 1st teeth at 6 months. I think one of the toothpaste that they have is by Oral B and the other one is by Gerber Grin's and Giggles for Toddlers.

It's made specifically for toddlers and it's safe for kids to swallow.

I hope this helps.
M.

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M.P.

answers from Houston on

He can use baby's toothpaste as training stages. It is safe for him to swallow. There is no fluoride or saccharin, no artifical colors or preservatives and non foaming. I have baby einsten with mixed fruits. My girls LOVE it and always redy for brush their teeth every morning and night.

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B.L.

answers from Beaumont on

We use Koala Pals Training Toothpaste from Melaleuca. It's non-toxic and fluoride-free, plus everything from Melaleuca is safe for children. My daughter ASKS me to brush her teeth every day, and she's 19 months old so you know she must like it! It tastes like apples, so she always says "mmmm...apple!"
It's so much easier when they don't run away : )

B.
____@____.com
www.themomteam.com/bleboeuf

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M.A.

answers from San Antonio on

Hi C.:
I agree with Alison D. and the other Moms that said that you should use fluoride toothpaste.
At 2 years old it is Ok and actually it is beneficial to use a toothpaste with fluoride on it. You will just put a pea size amount and you should maintain the toothpaste out of his reach.
If you really want to look more into how much fluoride he needs, you could check how much fluoridation has the water in the area that you live. You could call the water company and they will be able to tell you. The ideal amount is 1 p.p.m.
Were I live the water has 1p.p.m. and I still brush my kids teeth with fluoride tooth paste (they are 2 and 4y.o.).

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S.C.

answers from Lubbock on

They have toothpaste for little ones. Its in our toothpaste section. You can get that and just use a pea size. It is okay if they swallow it too. You can get it at walmart. Maybe united. Do you take him to the dentist??

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C.H.

answers from Amarillo on

There is toothpaste made for little ones that dosent have floride in it so its safe if it gets swallowed. Look in the tooth paste isle with the kids tooth paste, little bear is one of the main ones. You should be flossing too, and dintists recomed having thier first vist when they start getting teeth.

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S.R.

answers from College Station on

there is flouride free tootepaste available for kids. I have a 3 and 4 yrs old. I get theirs at walmart and it's next to the toothbrushes. It has the cartoon characters on it and should state that it's flouride free.

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N.H.

answers from Beaumont on

Oral-B has a toothpaste called Oral-B stages that we use for our 2 year old. It is safe if swallowed. Their are some other toothpastes out there for younger kids that are floride free so it is ok if they are swallowed. I think on has Little Bear on it and the advertisment has that it is ok for use until age 6. Go to wal-mart or a smiliar store and they should have a good selection for you to look though and decide from. If you don't see it at first then ask a store associate.

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L.S.

answers from Odessa on

There are toothpastes made just for toddlers in the toothpaste aisle. Then, just put just enough on the brush to brush teeth with, which is very, very little. One tube of this toothpaste will last you forever. This gives you a chance to teach her to spit, without posing much risk to her.

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J.N.

answers from Corpus Christi on

I have been using the Baby Einstein's formula since my daughter got teeth... she's ok and 21 months old.. you could take him to your dentist/orthodontist and get their opinion..

J.

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J.S.

answers from Amarillo on

hi,
you can start with a lil bit of toothpaste. Because it has no flouride (which is essential for his teeth at the later years he will need flouride). There are starter toothpaste, i think its called my firt toothpaste which has less than reg toothpaste.

J.
Mommy to 3 lil boys.Im a nurse and a wife.

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J.B.

answers from Tyler on

C.,
Even I use a floride-free toothpaste and I am a whole lot older than a toddler. I buy the toothpaste at a GNC store. I think the brand is Jason. I just don't think all the so-called "good things" are so good for us. I also buy organic, hormone-free milk to drink. The less chemicals, the better, I think.

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A.D.

answers from El Paso on

C.,
This is a great question. I am a pediatrician with a special interest in dental care for kids. Here are your answers:
1. You should definitely be brushing your child's teeth twice a day with a fluoride containing toothpaste. Crest for kids is the best of the common ones sold.
2. Use only a very small amount of the toothpaste (a smear, no more) so that he doesn't swallow too much. There are ones without fluoride that you can buy, but they are difficult to find and a two year old really needs the fluoride. If he doesn't use very much, the amount he will swallow is negligible.
3. You should also get him to try to brush his own teeth. Give him a brush with just water to try for a few minutes, then add the toothpaste and repeat the brushing for him.
4. Make sure he is seeing a dentist every 6 months to a year.

A.

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L.W.

answers from Austin on

There are all kinds of baby toothpaste. The Flouride is what is harmful if swallowed. As long as there's none of that in there, it's fine. Look in the baby aisle with lotions and soaps.

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N.M.

answers from Houston on

Hello! I too was in your shoes, I was using the training toothpaste which is pretty much useless, but it helps. I now use the Dora kids tooth paste. My doctor said with the amount you should use (pea sized) even if they do swallow it, its not a big deal. However, I taught her how to spit :) I didn't think she could, but she can (Shes 27 months) I just tell her to keep her mouth open the whole time then I tip her over the sink and I guess its a natural reflex? I showed her a few times myself then she got it. Good luck!

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H.B.

answers from Austin on

Until my girls were able to spit out the toothpaste, I brushed their teeth with toddler toothpaste which they CAN swallow. It has no fluoride in it so it's safe on their tummies. I worked on spitting with that toothpaste first, and then we switched over. Good luck!!! :)

~H.~

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D.T.

answers from Houston on

Hello C.,

I would recommend the toothpaste for toddlers, I can't remember the name of it. It's safe to swallow, but if you go anywhere like Wal-mart or Target anywhere where there is a pharmacist they will show you. Yes, it's very important to brush and with paste. You have done good just getting his teeth brushed alone. I assure you if he sees you brushing and allow him to hold his toothbrush he will see you spitting out and do the same. You can also start wiping your baby's gums with a soft cloth after feedings, (even if it's just milk). You might consider scheduling that first time visit to the dentist soon.

Happy Brushing,
Dental Hygienist on leave raising my children.

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J.F.

answers from Houston on

We use the OraJel training toothpaste. The kids LOVE it! I usually hand them their toothbrush while they are in the bathtub! Kinda gross, but it really cuts down on the clean up!

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J.R.

answers from San Antonio on

I use ORAGEL Toddler training toothpaste...it's safe to swallow. My kids really enjoy it!

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I.L.

answers from Killeen on

Brushing with water might be ok, I'm not sure, but if you want to use some toothpaste, look for the toddler toothpaste where the kids toothbrushes are. It doesn't have the flouride, so it's ok for them to swallow a little bit.

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S.G.

answers from San Antonio on

my daughter has been using flouride since she was 15 months. just a dab. she has never had a reaction. sometimes it can upset their tummy...but she loves and begs for it!

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M.M.

answers from Houston on

I would use Tom's of Maine Silly Strawberry. I love all their toothpaste. You can buy at Whole Foods.

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