2.5 Year Old and Brushing Teeth

[DentalDana]

It's actually OK to use the KID'S toothpaste even if they don't spit. Just use a TINY TINY amount. Like, the size of HALF a pea. The training toothpaste does not have fluoride, and is more for babies who only have a couple teeth. You should move up to kid's formula toothpaste at this point.

Toothpaste actually works BETTER if you do NOT rinse and spit. Especially for little kids who need the flouride protection.

Do NOT use adult toothpaste for her, though, as it contains a lot more fluoride and swallowing it can be harmful.

Just an FYI, not all Kid's toothpastes have reduced fluoride content. You need to turn the tube or box over and compare the percentage to an adult tube to know for sure.

 

[Shelebeen]

wow... we still brush our kids teeth (6 and 9) The 9 yr old does her own in the morning, but at night we do it for her... The hygienist at our ped dentist office is always happy that we still brush for our kids...

 

[Disneychix]

I give my DS his toothbrush (with a dab of kids toothpaste) and I let him brush while I brush my teeth. When I'm done it's my turn to brush his teeth. Then he "spits" which is usually just turning on the faucet and getting a drink of water. He is 2.5 years old.

We are taking him to the dentist this month for the first time. I'm sooo nervous!!

 

[shrymah]

Our dentist told us that it's ok for the kids to brush their own teeth during the day but we should always help at night until they are 8. I would start working on spitting now. It took awhile for one of my DD's to figure out how to do that. We didn't use a fluoride paste until she spit it out. One thing that got her motivated to spit was that she would be able to use princess toothpaste once she did!

 

[LCoulter]

I tried working with DD2.5 last night to get her to spit, demonstrating myself with water…I guess this is going to take a while for her to understand. She makes a spitting motion and noise but first she swallows the toothpaste and/or water.

Thanks for the guidance.