Having trouble prying little one's mouth open for toothbrush time? In addition to brushing your own teeth with baby, try using the tiniest dab of baby-friendly toothpaste to get baby in the mood.
The ADA's new recommendations are to use fluoride toothpaste (no more than a grain-size amount) on infants under 3 years. For children 3 to 6 years, use no more than a pea-sized amount. Just keep in mind that too much fluoride can cause fluorosis, which is a harmless change to the color of tooth enamel. The costs and benefits of fluoride should be weighed when deciding on a toothpaste. Either way, any brushing is better than no brushing at all!
My LO loves his new Tom’s Toddler Natural Training Toothpaste ($3-4 at Target). Is it free of weird stuff? Not even close...Thanks, Colgate-Palmolive! It contains Carrageenan and Xylitol among other things, but if it means those teeth will be sparkly clean, I will live with it.
Good luck getting baby to open up for that incoming toothbrush!