When and how to start brushing your baby's teeth
Polly Logan-Banks
Content EditorYour little one's first set of baby teeth play a very important role and it's never too early to start taking care of them. Discover when to start brushing your baby's teeth and how to do it with the minimum of fuss, plus get more tips on caring for your baby's emerging teeth.
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You might think your baby's first teeth don't matter much – after all, they're just going to fall out in a few years, right?
However, your baby's first teeth actually help their permanent teeth to come in straight. What's more, severe decay of the baby teeth can lead to a painful abscess, which could harm the permanent teeth.
According to the British Dental Association, the number one reason for children needing a general anaesthetic in hospital is for tooth extractions!
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So it's really important to take care of your baby's teeth right from the start. Here's how ...
When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?
It's a good idea to start brushing your little one's teeth as soon as they appear. This can happen at any time in your baby's first year, but often starts when they're about six months old.
If it hasn't happened to your baby yet, read up on the signs of teething to look out for.
You can even start brushing earlier if you want. Getting your baby used to the feeling of having their gums being brushed may help them to be less fussy about it once their teeth do appear.
However, as soon as you see that first pearly white breaking through the gum, it's definitely time to start a tooth-brushing routine with your baby!
How should I brush my baby's teeth?
Follow these tooth-brushing tips to keep your baby's emerging teeth in perfect health:
- Brush at least twice a day, every day. Do it once before putting your baby to bed as part of their bedtime routine, and at least one other time during the day – whatever fits into your routine.
- Choose a toothpaste designed for babies. Adult toothpaste has too much fluoride for little ones. It'll say on the pack if it's suitable for babies. Aquafresh Baby Toothpaste is specially formulated for under twos – see more details here at Boots.
- Use a special baby toothbrush. Electric toothbrushes aren't usually suitable for babies. Some parents also swear by using their finger at first, or you can buy silicone finger toothbrushes designed for babies. It's probably a good idea to switch to a baby toothbrush as soon as you can, though. MAM has specially-designed toothbrushes for babies – see more details here at Amazon.
- You only need a tiny smear of toothpaste – smaller than the size of a pea.
- Get comfy – the easiest position is usually sitting down with your baby on your lap and their head resting against your chest, but you can experiment to see what works best for you.
- Brush in small circles, making sure to cover all the surfaces of any teeth that have appeared. Be gentle though; your baby's gums are sensitive, especially if they're teething.
- Encourage your baby to spit out the toothpaste, but don't rinse their mouth with water, as this washes away the fluoride.
My baby hates having their teeth brushed – what can I do?
This is a pretty common problem – a lot of babies aren't keen on having their teeth brushed at first, and it can take some persistence to help them get used to it.
It's always a good idea to let your baby watch you brushing your own teeth – we all know babies love to copy Mum or Dad! The same goes for any older siblings.
You can also make a game of it; sing a fun tooth-brushing song (there are loads on YouTube) or do a silly dance to make it fun for your baby.
Many babies also feel better about tooth-brushing if they feel like they have a bit of control. You could give your baby their own brush to play with before or during the teeth brushing, or use a long-handled brush that lets them hold on while you brush.
Baby toothpastes come in different flavours, so you could try some different ones until you find one your baby likes. Similarly, you could try a few different toothbrushes to see which your baby prefers. A fun, brightly-coloured toothbrush may help to encourage them.
In some cases though, it's just a matter of persisting until your baby gets used to it. If your baby really screams and cries every time, it can be tempting to give up, but remember how important it is for your baby's future dental health. With time, they should get used to it.
How else can I protect my baby's teeth?
Sugary food and drink is the main cause of tooth decay in children. To help avoid it from the start, bear in mind the following advice:
- Never put anything sweet on your baby's dummy, or in their bottle – stick to milk (or water between feeds for formula-fed babies in hot weather).
- Aim to introduce a cup as soon as possible, from six months and definitely before one year – fluid hangs around the mouth for longer when sucked through a bottle teat, raising the risk of decay.
- Once your baby's on solid food, avoid giving them sugary foods – they won't get a taste for sweet stuff until you introduce it.
- If you do give a sugary treat occasionally (after six months), try to give it with a meal and encourage your child to have a drink of water afterwards, to help wash some of the sugar off their teeth
- Experts advise against giving squash or juice at all during your baby's first year, but if you do offer it to your baby, only give it at mealtimes, very diluted, and in a cup rather than a bottle.
Need advice?
Our health visitors and nursery nurses are on line Monday to Friday evenings to answer your queries on feeding, sleep and child health.
Are dummies bad for my baby's teeth?
A bit of dummy use in the early months shouldn't cause any problems for your baby's teeth.
However, you shouldn't use a dummy once your baby is over one year old. By that stage, using a dummy can affect how your baby's teeth grow in, and is also bad for their speech and language development.
When should I take my baby to the dentist?
Many people only go to the dentist when they have a problem, but your dentist will be happy to check out your baby's teeth as soon as they've got some. They may also be able to give advice and prescribe treatment for teething pain.
It's a great idea to take your baby along to all your dentist appointments – even before they have their own teeth. That way, your baby can get used to the environment and learn that it's nothing to be afraid of.
Your dentist will advise you how often you should attend appointments, but it's usually every six months.
Is your baby teething? Check out our articles below, or swap tips with other parents in our forum:
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