Breastfeeding and teeth maintenance

[Joy Kennedy]

I have read about children having problems from breastfeeding and not brushing their teeth.
My DS breastfeeds through the night. He is 8 months old and has 8 teeth! I have not started brushing his teeth or wiping them off after he feeds. What do I need to be doing? Thanks for the advice.
Joy

[Francie]

I don't think you really want to brush his teeth in the middle of the night! My sister and dad are dentists, and think my kids' teeth were fine - I just brushed them twice a day like I do my own, as soon as they grew teeth. I enjoyed watching you with him the other night! What a fun boy!!!

[Yvonne LV]

yeah, there's not much worry about it because the nipple tends to be at the back of the mouth so not as much of a chance for the milk to pool up around the teeth. My 6 month old has 6 teeth and i just wipe them off every couple of days. He also has a toothbrush that he munches on for fun right now.

[Joy Kennedy]

Thanks Francie, he is so much fun, I seem to have a permanent grin since I've had him.

Thanks for the info.

[Joy Kennedy]

thanks, so do I need to worry about any kind of toothpaste or any particular toothbrush?

[Missy]

I did the gum "brushing" with my two just so they'd get used to us sticking our fingers in their mouths! I ordered an enzyme toothpaste from drugstore.com that came with a few of those rubber applicators that fit over a finger. The toothpaste is called "First Teeth". We also use flouride free toothpaste, now that they have teeth. My almost 2 year old brushes her own teeth now. I tried my best to make teeth brusing a fun game since it's not a very "fun" activity for most kids, but a necessary part of taking care of ourselves, I believe. Now, if we all were only eating raw veggies and water, i wouldn't care, but since that's not the case... :) Hope this helps!