Everything I read about teeth brushing and cleaning said that you should start gently wiping the gums of your baby early on which helps their mouth to be healthier because even though babies may not have teeth yet, if their gums are not healthy it can affect their dental health later on.
So, I was using one of the "finger tip toothbrushes" even before my son had teeth. He got his first teeth at about 4-5-months-old.
Fluoride is actually a bit toxic and everything I've read says you shouldn't use toothpaste that has it in it until your child is old enough to understand spitting out the toothpaste and not swallowing it. Fluoride is a common plaque and cavity fighter but it is not the only way to protect your teeth from cavities. Tom's of Maine has a really great selection of toothpastes that are fluoride-free: Natural Toothpaste: Experience Tom's All Natural Toothpaste | Tom's of Maine
In Hong Kong, I just bought a a tube of organic mandarin toothpaste that is without "harsh, foaming agents (sls), fluoride, artificial sweeteners, colourings, flavours or preservatives" made by The Green People Company. http://www.greenpeople.co.uk/childrens-mandarin-toothpaste-50ml.aspx My nearly 2-year-old loves it and I've tried it on my own teeth and gets them much cleaner than your average tube of Colgate. And if he swallows some (which he usually does) it's not toxic to his body.
Now, my son is willing to brush his teeth 2+ times a day and a couple minutes at a time so his teeth are a lot healthier than they would be otherwise.
So, I was using one of the "finger tip toothbrushes" even before my son had teeth. He got his first teeth at about 4-5-months-old.
Fluoride is actually a bit toxic and everything I've read says you shouldn't use toothpaste that has it in it until your child is old enough to understand spitting out the toothpaste and not swallowing it. Fluoride is a common plaque and cavity fighter but it is not the only way to protect your teeth from cavities. Tom's of Maine has a really great selection of toothpastes that are fluoride-free: Natural Toothpaste: Experience Tom's All Natural Toothpaste | Tom's of Maine
In Hong Kong, I just bought a a tube of organic mandarin toothpaste that is without "harsh, foaming agents (sls), fluoride, artificial sweeteners, colourings, flavours or preservatives" made by The Green People Company. http://www.greenpeople.co.uk/childrens-mandarin-toothpaste-50ml.aspx My nearly 2-year-old loves it and I've tried it on my own teeth and gets them much cleaner than your average tube of Colgate. And if he swallows some (which he usually does) it's not toxic to his body.
Now, my son is willing to brush his teeth 2+ times a day and a couple minutes at a time so his teeth are a lot healthier than they would be otherwise.
