Dental Questions - 2 year old

DD is 26 months old. We brush teeth everyday with the toddler toothpaste (the clear gel that is fluoride free). When do you switch to a kid's toothpaste? Also, do you floss at this age? Right now, even getting to let me brush her teeth can be a fight. What age did you first take your 2 year-old to the dentist?

Any recommendations for a pediatric dentist in the Huntington area?

Message edited 9/25/2011 10:09:41 PM.

Re: Dental Questions - 2 year old

We took dd at about the same age. They told us not to use the kids toothpaste. Because it "tastes good" so kids swallow it. My oldest has used our toothpaste since then with no problems.

We use a dentist in RVC, but I'll send you her info if you want it.

Re: Dental Questions - 2 year old

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Re: Dental Questions - 2 year old

I took my ds to the dentist the first time at 18 months. They counted his teeth and cleaned them. I took him so early, bc his front teeth looked a weird color to me. He also had a full mouth of teeth at 12 months. He had his first 2 at 3 months. He has gone 2 times so far. For check ups. The dentist said to switch to flouride toothpaste when they can spit the toothpaste out. My ds still swallows it, so we just use a flouride supplement at night. As far as flossing, the last time we were there, he was 24 months (now 26 months), they gave us those floss stick things. I dont know what they are called. And they showed him how to use them. He doesnt really get it still, but I try. After seeing the dentist he has gotten much better at letting me brush his teeth. although he hates it while we are at the dentist. The dentist we see is in Holbrook, she is great. I will fm you the info, if interested.

Re: Dental Questions - 2 year old

Just had this convo with my friend, a ped's dentist.

I asked:

When do you start brushing teeth with a toothbrush?

She says when they have 4 teeth on top & 4 on bottom.

What do you brush with?
Kiddie brush and kiddie toothpaste (because of the fluoride).

When do you go for the 1st time to the dentist?

She says 2 years old.

sorry, I'm not to the point of asking about floss & regular toothpaste.

Re: Dental Questions - 2 year old

I don't think you have to floss. We've been told by various people that at this age, their teeth are basically self cleaning, though we of course brush his teeth every day. We were also told to use a flouride toothpaste and that it didn't matter if they just swallowed it, they're supposed to ingest the flouride.

Re: Dental Questions - 2 year old

DD was 3 when I first took her to the dentist.

I didn't switch her to fluoride until she was spitting well, definately after 3.

Dentist said she didn't need to floss because she still has decent spacing between her teeth.

Re: Dental Questions - 2 year old

Re: Dental Questions - 2 year old

Posted by BargainMama

Posted by usuk2004

I don't think you have to floss. We've been told by various people that at this age, their teeth are basically self cleaning, though we of course brush his teeth every day. We were also told to use a flouride toothpaste and that it didn't matter if they just swallowed it, they're supposed to ingest the flouride.

Self cleaning teeth? That's a new one