"TOOTHPASTE FOR TODDLERS"

"My 13-month-old baby does not like the taste of baby toothpaste. I have been brushing her teeth with a wet toothbrush without toothpaste so she will accept the toothbrush. Even then, it is sometimes a struggle. On the last visit, my pediatrician asked if we were using the baby toothpaste and said that we should be using it. I know that it doesn't have any fluoride - so is there any other benefit to it?"

Instead of struggling with the baby toothpaste, I would get a cute toothbrush with one of her favorite cartoon characters on it. Let her �play� with this toothbrush (no toothpaste) while she watches you brushing your teeth. Sing a song while you brush, and maybe she�ll follow along. Until she is ready for fluoride (usually age 2 to 3), using a dry brush is fine. This will help foster a fun relationship with the toothbrush, which will be very important when she is older and has a mouth full of teeth. Most of the local pediatric dentists that I talk to have recommended using toothpaste with fluoride as soon as your child is able to spit it out � and then only use a small �pea-sized� amount.