tooth brush...

**TwoBlue** · 15-11-2005 19:35

Hi all

Any dentists in the house ?? or dentist DH's ??

Just hoping someone might be able to tell me if using a child tooth brush is really neccesary or if using an adults toothbrush for a child is not a good idea....

Basically almost 20 month old DS hates his own toothbrush and wants to use Mums or Dads....
Is it a problem if we get him one like ours to use...?

Thanks for any advice

**Chickadee** · 15-11-2005 22:11

What a beautiful new avatar!!! Love it

I think the main difference is that the head of the childs toothbrush is smaller and so easier to fit in little mouths. Especially when trying to get bacck to molars. You could try getting a childs brush without all the fancy cute pictures - if it looks more like yours he might accept it. If he really wants an adult toothbrush you should maybe get a soft one.

Chloe also always wanted my toothbrush. But at the same time she also wanted my spoon, fork, etc. Even when she'd end up clutching 4 spoons, every time I got a new one she'd want that one. So might just be a phase that you can persist through.

Good luck.

**wattle** · 16-11-2005 06:23

Maybe you could start using a kids one? Max has been brushing his two teeth (how cute) in the bath. He loves it. I do it and he copies me. Now he doesn't want to let go of it when he gets out of the bath.

**TwoBlue** · 16-11-2005 11:02

Thanks guys

We have been using a childs toothbrush with no probs for ages now its only recently that he wants to use ours...
I am going to persevere with his for now though as like you say Martha he also wants my spoon and my fork....

I may also try getting a more "adult" looking childs brush and see how that goes

Like Max he has always loved his and still likes it if allowed to just chew on it but for actual brushing he wants ours....

maybe i'll call a dentist and see what they say??

Thanks also Martha for your avatar comment... figure i may as well show off the bump before i lose it

**LucyE** · 19-11-2005 00:07

I wouldn't let DS use mine or DH's toothbrushes. Adult mouthes are full of bacteria which you don't want to introduce into a young child's mouth. I suppose the worst thing would be to introduce the bacteria that causes cavities...

**Lil X-men** · 19-11-2005 00:24

Adult tooth brushes are also harder bristled than a childs which is designed to be gentle on their gums.
I would advise them not use adult toothbrushes as it may cause the gums to receed away from the teeth and wear tooth enamel if it was used repeatedly over a period of time, making the teeth mobile and more at risk to gum disease, and teeth sensitivity etc.
This is just worst case scenario, but I think to be safer rather than sorry I personally would use the toothbrush appropriate to his age. I was a Dental assistant before having DS and learned alot from what my dentist told his patients so just passing it on, I'm not an expert though so anyone can correct me if I'm wrong!
Happy brushing!!!

**Busymumof3** · 20-11-2005 16:23

I had this problem...so my in-laws bought him a kids electric one for his birthday...now we have mulitple heads for the kids so they all get to use it...plus they clean their teeth much better and it makes a tune when it's time to clean the other side of their teeth...makes it fun!

**LucyE** · 20-11-2005 22:09

What brand electric toothbrush do you have? The only ones I've seen are only recommended for children over the age of 8yrs-ish. Something to do with being too harsh on young teeth...

**Busymumof3** · 21-11-2005 16:46

It's a Braun one...my sil is a dental nurse and say they are fine on younger children. I figure I would try whatever my kids liked as I have more chance of them continuing to brush their teeth if it's fun rather than a chore

!!