Welcoming a new baby into your family is a joyous occasion with milestones and discoveries. One of the earliest and most important habits to establish is oral hygiene. But when exactly to start brushing baby's teeth is the actual question. The answer is sooner than you think! When your baby's first tooth erupts, it's time to begin a gentle oral care routine. This early start sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends starting oral hygiene as soon as the first tooth appears, typically around six months of age. Establishing this habit early helps prevent early childhood caries and lays the groundwork for good oral hygiene practice.
Let's explore the best practices for when to start brushing babies' teeth and how to make it a fun and practical experience for both you and your little one.
When To Start Brushing Baby Teeth: The First Step
You do not need to start brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste until your infant’s teeth erupt, but you should clean your baby’s gums daily. Making this a part of your routine right from the start will help ensure that, by the time your baby’s first tooth comes in, you and your baby are already accustomed to regular mouth cleanings.
Also, every baby has teeth differently, and it can be difficult for a parent to tell when their baby’s first tooth is beginning to break through. Cleaning decay-causing bacteria from your baby’s mouth daily by wiping the gums is a safeguard to help protect the tooth until it becomes evident that the tooth has erupted and brushing is required.
How to Clean Your Baby’s Gums
To clean your infant’s gums, gently wipe them with a clean, damp washcloth or infant toothbrush. Consider refrigerating or freezing the wet washcloth for a few minutes if your child is teething. The cold temperature can soothe your baby’s sore gums.
When Do You Start Brushing Baby Teeth?
This is the question every parent has! A child’s first tooth often erupts around six months. Do parents need to begin brushing with a toothbrush and toothpaste that early? The short answer is yes. Many parent’s do not know “how to brush your teeth.” Here, it means toddlers, and what they should do with babies' teeth is even more confusing.
Just as you wouldn’t give up on changing your baby’s soiled diapers if your baby wiggled and made diaper changes difficult, you should never keep your child’s mouth clean and disease-free.
How to Brush Baby Teeth
Once your baby’s first tooth emerges, it’s time to transition to using a toothbrush. If you are Looking after your baby's teeth, the below steps are your help:
Selecting the Right Toothbrush
If you know when (and how) to start brushing your baby's teeth, the next step is choosing the right tools for effective oral care. Choose a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head for infants and toddlers. This will allow you to reach all areas of your baby's mouth comfortably.
You can use high-quality teeth brushing products and research options from trusted brands that prioritize your baby's safety and comfort.
Brushing Technique
As soon as your child’s first tooth emerges, use a small-headed, soft-bristled toothbrush for Brushing Baby's Teeth becomes necessary. Twice a day, in the morning and before bed, apply a thin coating of toothpaste to the brush (no more than a grain-of-rice-sized amount), place it at a 45-degree angle, and gently brush in a circular motion for two minutes.
Once your child is three years old, you can increase the amount of toothpaste to a pea-sized amount.
If your child has touching teeth, you should also floss between them at least once daily.
Parents should continue brushing their children’s teeth or assisting them until they are comfortable with their children brushing thoroughly independently. The exact age will depend on the child, but typically, parents should continue assisting with tooth brushing until the child is at least seven or eight.
Introducing Toothpaste: When and How Much?
The question of when to start brushing baby teeth with toothpaste often arises. As your baby grows, you’ll eventually need to introduce toothpaste into their oral care routine.
How to Brush Babies' Teeth When They Refuse
It's not uncommon for babies to resist having their teeth brushed. Their world is new; sometimes, the toothbrush may feel like a foreign object they are not yet comfortable with. Let's explore ways to help your child feel safe and ready to brush with you.
The "Knee-to-Knee" Technique
We recommend using the “knee to knee” technique for brushing an infant’s teeth. This technique requires two adults and works as follows:
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The two adults should sit facing each other, with their knees touching.
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Lay the infant down so that the back of their head is resting on one adult’s lap and their legs are on the other adult’s lap. (Make sure the child is in a stable position and cannot fall.)
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The adult with the infant’s head on their lap should use one hand to gently lift the infant’s lips so that the teeth are prominent and the other hand to brush the infant’s teeth gently.
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The second adult should comfort and/or distract the infant and gently hold the infant’s hands to prevent the infant from grabbing the toothbrush.
If your baby’s back molars have not come in yet, you can also try placing a finger between their back gums to help keep their mouths open for brushing.
How to Make Brushing Teeth Fun For Toddlers
Brushing your toddler’s teeth may feel like a downright battle. If this is the case, try some techniques below with your toddler; brushing your teeth might become fun instead of a power struggle!
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Take turns brushing your child’s teeth so that your child feels more involved and/or independent. You can brush your child’s teeth first and then let your child practice brushing after, or you can reverse the order.
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Bring in a favorite stuffed animal or doll, and let your child “brush” the toy’s teeth (without toothpaste, of course) while you brush your child’s teeth.
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Play some music while brushing. Turn on a fun song that lasts about two minutes, and let your child know it's time to rinse when the song is over. Alternatively, sing a song related explicitly to tooth brushing.
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Tell silly stories as you brush to make things fun.
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To make the routine more exciting, let your child pick a toothbrush they love—one in their favorite color or with a picture of a favorite movie character. Trying a fun flavor of toothpaste can also help.
Consistency is key; eventually, your toddler will become more receptive to brushing as it becomes a regular part of their daily routine.
What Kind of Toothbrush Should My Toddlers Use to Brush Their Teeth
Always choose a soft-bristled toothbrush for your child to protect your child’s delicate gums and dental enamel (the protective outer coating of your child’s teeth).
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Choose a toothbrush with a small head that comfortably fits your toddler’s mouth. If you’re unsure whether the head is small enough, check the packaging, and toothbrush manufacturers typically list age recommendations.
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When used correctly, manual and electric toothbrushes are effective at cleaning toddlers' teeth, so feel free to select whichever type you and your toddler like best.
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U-shaped automatic toothbrushes may seem like an excellent solution for wiggly toddlers who refuse to let you brush their teeth. However, insufficient research shows that this toothbrush can effectively clean your child’s teeth. As a result, we recommend sticking with traditional manual or electric toothbrushes for your toddler.
Final Thoughts
Starting your baby's oral care journey early is a gift that will last a lifetime. Understanding when to start brushing babies' teeth and using the proper techniques can help your little one develop healthy habits from the beginning. Remember, every smile starts with a clean and healthy set of teeth. So, begin this journey today and watch your baby grow into a confident, smiling adult. Remember, for a brighter smile for yourself, check out MySmile Teeth Whitening Products because taking care of your smile is essential, too!
