brushing baby's teeth?

I agree with Nikki and Sarah.
I also use the xylitol. I got details of a distributor from the webiste Nikki mentioned. e-mail them for the details of where you can buy it in your area.
It will also strengthen the teeth before they erupt and should make teething a little easier.

We've been brushing teeth/gums since about 4 moths old. Initially I just gave her a kiddies toothbrush to chew on whenever the older boys brushed their teeth and I always had my turn to brush her gums/teeth when she was finished. Then, when the first teeth popped through (about 10 months), I started using a natural toothpaste from Dischem. Just a tiny amount. Now at 15 months, brushing teeth is part of the daily routine. She brushes with me, then when I'm finished brushing mine, I brush hers for her. Sometimes she fights me off and I don't make a huge fuss, but I do insist on at least a quick brush. She has been feeling nauseas lately which hasn't helped.

My daughter actually liked using the toothbrush as a teether, which meant when it came time to actually brush, the feeling of the toothbrush in her mouth wasn't strange to her.

Hi,

You can start cleaning gums from birth, while they are still purely on milk feeds, you just use the foam squares or rubber finger brush without toothpaste, then start using a baby tooth brush when teeth come through. I would start brushing her gums now, even though no teeth have come through.

We use xylitol with Paige instead of toothpaste. I believe you can get it from welleda stores, but check on line the dentisit who makes it has a website www.teethforlife.co.za ( I think)

Xylitol helps break down plaque which makes brushing easier and more effective, but you need to use the gel 3-5 times a day. We brush with it morning and night and then put a blob in Paige's mouth once more during the day.

The gel is sweet and there is a recipe to make merrinques with it on the website, they are sweets that are good for teeth.

We bought the gel at the baby expo.

Hannah- Kate might not like it, but stick with it, they need to have gums, teeth cleaned ... For me teeth cleaning is one of the non negotiables like car seats etc... Paige doesn't always fight it, but she certainly doesn't enjoy it.

Just remember to brush gently, especially when she is teething
Good luck

When did you start?

HK has just started eating solids (almost 6 months old).

She doesnt have any teeth yet, but i was wondering when does one start looking after their gums... I have a rubber toothbrush and baby tooth paste, but do i wait for teeth first or can i start cleaning the gums now already?

How often should one do it?