When to Start Using Toothpaste?

There are toddler toothpastes available w/o fluoride (Gerber is one). You only need a pea sized amount of t.p. on the brush.
If you do start using fluoride t.p., then just watch him close and stick to a timy amount of paste. My son is 3, and he swallows it most of the time. Have never had a problem.
Important to try to get floss in between his teeth, too. If he will let you, the little floss piks work well.
Soda is the worst thing for teeth (sugars and acids). Try to only give a little on very rare occasions!

Hello! Pediatric Dental Assistant here!
Use of the Toddler TP is a great idea, but as your child's teeth develop, they need some sort of Flouride to help build strong bones and teeth. You need to make sure that your water that your using contains flouride. If you don't know, call your water company and ask them if your water contains flouride, and if it does then ask them what the amount is. They will give you a number and PPM (parts per million). Then call you local pediatric dental office and let them know the age, weight, and the PPM number to see if your child is getting enough flouride. As for brushing their teeth, as soon as they can spit on their own, it's imporatant to start brushing with a flouridated TP to get the benefits.. Best of Luck!

Hi A., The simplest things make life so difficult, huh? LOL! When my daughter was about 18 months I started her on the children's toothpastes that they sell and I would brush my teeth with her and show her as we did it together. Ok now don't laugh but this is what I used to tell her would happen if she swallowed the toothpaste..."If you swallow the toothpaste you will grow a tree out of your stomach" LOL...it worked she didn't want to be known as tree girl. In teaching our children hygiene, it is important that they see you doing it as well. If they swallow it will not be so bad, we have swallowed toothpaste every now and then in our lives and we are fine...right? ;-) Just talk to them and guide them through it. You will be fine.

There is a toothpaste out there that is safe to swallow, it contains no flouride. Oral-B makes it. It has a bear on the front of it. Swallow flouride can cause the body to stop absorbing calcium and can lead to some bad things according to PC.

I have 2 year old twins and there is a toothpaste for toddlers made by Orajel and it is a training toothpaste that is safe to swallow. It doesn't have flouride and tastes very good. Just use a pea sized amount and your child can learn to brush and spit it out when he is finished. I always find mine in the baby sections at stores. Good luck!

I actually started using toothpaste with my son around 18 months. Several toothpaste companies make toddler training toothpaste that is "safe to swallow" and comes in several flavors and characters (my son's fav is the berry flavored Thomas the tank engine made by Orajel. It may take some time for your toddler to understand the concept of spitting so you're probably better off to start with something that it's ok if he does swallow a bit.

My daughter is two and she's been using toothpaste for several months now. There is a children's brand on the market that states on there it's not harmful if swallowed. That's what she uses. I can't remember the brand off hand and don't feel like walking to the bathroom to see it. But it has a bear on the front of it. It's the only one I saw that actually said it's not harmful if swallowed. They carry it right at Target and Walmart.

When my daughter had her 18 month dr. appt the doctor said we should start brushing her teeth with training toothpaste because it is okay for them to swallow it. She is now 2 and we still brush her teeth with training toothpast every day and night. She sees us spit so she try to do it, but hasn't quite got it down yet. But I definately think you should be using the training toothpaste rather than just water. I know a little girl who had 3 cavities at age 3 from doing that. Just my opinion.....

They make toothpaste specifically for babies; it comes in a small tube, in flavors like strawberry. It doesn't contain flouride, so it's not harmful to swallow. I would start with that, and as soon as your son is able to spit, move to toothpaste for older kids. Just a suggestion.

There are tooth gels out that you can use before the baby is allowed to use toothpaste. They are free of flouride and safe for even infants. Contact me for more info at ____@____.com

Hi A., i started using children toothpaste about 2 1/2. Before then, i believe it is best to have them drink that special baby water. Filtered water takes out flouride and the baby water (can't remember the exact name) has the flouride included, which is good for teeth and gums. I dont worry about her swallowing the kids toothpaste. When she wants to spit, i let her.

S.

There is baby/toddler toothpaste. We have always used this with our 22 month old daughter. They can swallow it with no effects. Emma (my daughter) asks to brush every morning and before bed time. I brush first then give her the brush and she does the rest herself. Run, don't walk to the nearest drugstore, wal-mart or whatever. Start today. It's never too early to teach good habits. Good luck to you!!

You can go to the store and buy training toothpaste.You can find it in the isle with all the other toothpastes and toothbrushes. Thats what I use for my daughters. Its safe to swallow. You shouldn't let you child use regular toothpaste until they are about 6 years old. Good Luck!