What is the best way to brush my toddlers teeth?
• Use a dry toothbrush. Don’t even wet the toothbrush with water. • Don’t use toothpaste until 2 years old. After 2, brush with a dry brush first, then add a half pea size squib of paste. • Put the child’s head in your lap for comfort, security and good vision. • Use a small soft toothbrush with the bristles placed squarely against the teeth at the gumline. Use just enough pressure to cause a slight whitening of the gums. Jiggle the brush in a sideways direction. Follow the same path around the mouth each time to cover all the outside, inside and chewing surfaces. • It should take 1 to 1 1/2 minutes to brush a toddler’s teeth. What if my toddler won’t let me brush? We would rather insist on brushing than insist on fillings. Many toddlers resist. That’s part of the joy of parenting. Sit down on the floor, put the toddler’s head in your lap, and brush. For particularly athletic offspring this may be a two parent activity for a while, but don’t give up! What about fluoride supplements? Th
