We celebrate each new growth phase with our babies, from their first smiles and laughs to and also their first teeth to emerge. The emergence of that small tooth brings a major concern about when to start brushing baby teeth.
When Do You Start Brushing Babies’ Teeth?
Teeth emerge in most babies when they reach 4 to 7 months old. Young children develop their first teeth by displaying their bottom front teeth (central incisors) and then showing their upper front teeth. Every baby experiences tooth emergence differently since some start teething earlier than others, and some never get their first tooth until surpassing their first birthday.
Common signs of teething include:
- Increased drooling
- Chewing on fingers or objects
- Swollen or tender gums
- Fussiness or disrupted sleep
When Do Babies Start to Grow Teeth?
You need to start cleaning your baby's teeth when their first tooth appears, along with gentle gum cleaning before teeth emerge. Gentle brushing of the baby's gums before the first tooth emergence creates a foundation for oral health while building comfort with dental care.
Why it matters:
- Baby teeth contain thin enamel layers, which weaken easily, leading to decay.
- A single baby tooth displays a risk of developing cavities.
- Establishing early toothbrushing habits creates long-lasting healthy dental practices.
There is no specific date for beginning to brush baby teeth, but the first appearance of a tooth marks the right time to begin this dental habit.
How to Brush Your Baby’s Gums and Teeth
Your baby's daily oral care depends fundamentally on this step. The dental care schedule varies across different child development stages.
Newborn Stage (0–3 Months): Gum Care
Your baby's gums require cleansing even when they don't have teeth.
- Using a soft, damp cloth or silicone finger brush, you should gently clean your baby's gums soon after feeding times.
- Taking this step dissolves the milk residue and reduces bacterial presence.
- Regular gum cleaning at an early stage helps your baby develop a positive relationship with toothbrushes as they grow older.
Recommended: Momcozy Finger Toothbrush
Teething Stage (4 to 12 months): First tooth
When the first tooth emerges:
- Start your brushing routine by using soft-bristled baby toothbrushes.
- A grain-of-rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste should be used for brushing.
- Your baby should brush their teeth two times each day.
- Teach your baby to expect brushing during daily routines so they become accustomed and comfortable with this essential habit.
Recommended: Baby Toothbrush
Designed for babies’ sensitive gums and growing teeth, this toothbrush features ultra-soft bristles, an easy-grip handle, and a cute, ergonomic shape that encourages early independence. It’s a great next step after using a finger brush.
Toddler Stage (1–3 Years): Expanding Set of Teeth
As more teeth come in:
- Patients must brush their teeth twice each day using a small dab (equal to a rice grain) of fluoride toothpaste.
- Let your toddler keep holding the brush while you maintain a complete clean to help them.
- Brush teeth on all surfaces while paying extra attention to the area where gums meet teeth.
Preschool Stage (3+ Years): Training for Independence
At this stage:
- Apply only a small amount of fluoridated toothpaste comparable to a pea.
- Show your child how to empty toothpaste from their mouth after using a toothbrush.
- Your child requires monitoring and help until turning age 6 to ensure their brushing technique is correct.
How to Choose a Toothbrush
Selecting an appropriate toothbrush can create a safer brushing experience while improving its effectiveness.
- The right brush has a small brush head paired with a broad handle to help children use it properly.
- Baby teeth, along with gums, require soft-bristled toothbrushes as they are sensitive to medium or hard bristle brush heads.
- Choose a brush for your baby based on their age label, as it matches their development level.
- Manual toothbrushes provide the best option for brushing because they suit infants and toddlers. Electric toothbrushes can be beneficial for complete tooth cleaning in your child's mouth due to potential brushing resistance.
- Brushes should be replaced every 3–4 months, unless the bristles become frayed or your baby has health issues.
When to Start Brushing Baby Teeth with Toothpaste
Fluoride toothpaste should be used as soon as your baby gets their first tooth, not delayed until a certain age. Fluoride is essential for preventing tooth decay. Even baby teeth are vulnerable to cavities, and early exposure to the right amount of fluoride helps strengthen enamel and protect against decay.
- Smear of toothpaste (the size of a grain of rice) for babies and toddlers under age 3.
- The pea-sized amount is for children 3 years and older.
This small, age-appropriate quantity is considered safe even if a child swallows some of it, something that's common when they’re still learning to spit.
Some parents mistakenly believe fluoride should be avoided until children can reliably spit it out, usually around age 3 or older. However, newer research and expert guidelines have shown that delaying the use of fluoride toothpaste can miss a critical window for cavity prevention.
Why Fluoride Matters:
- It strengthens tooth enamel.
- Using fluoride protects teeth from cavities, both in baby teeth and adult teeth.
- The product stays secure when used in the correct quantities.
- Approximately 0.12 milligrams of the fluoride solution is entirely safe for newborns, even if they swallow it, because it is consumed in tiny quantities. You should instruct your child to spit out the toothpaste when they reach a certain age.
How to Choose Toothpaste for Babies
The market contains diverse toothpaste products that differ in their composition. Here's what to look for:
- Fluoride content: Choose a toothpaste with fluoride for cavity prevention.
- ADA Seal of Approval assures that a toothpaste demonstrates both safety measures and effective performance.
- Newborns demonstrate a sensitivity to strong tastes regarding their food preferences. Infants should use toothpaste with a gentle, natural taste instead of mint flavors.
- Toothpaste should contain no SLS and should avoid artificial dyes, as well as sweeteners, and other harsh ingredients.
- Natural toothpaste bottles contain the child-safe antibacterial sweetener xylitol, which helps combat bacterial growth in digestive fluids.
How to Brush Babies' Teeth When They Refuse
Many parents struggle with brushing their baby's teeth when they respond to toothbrushes by clenching their mouth and squirming. Dental care resistance occurs frequently among babies and toddlers. The key to success resides in your constant dedication during these moments. These mild and efficient techniques will help you to brush your baby's teeth:
- Brushing becomes more enjoyable when you play games during this time and sing specific toothbrush songs together.
- Your baby will find brushing more interesting when you use a mirror to see their reflection during toothbrushing.
- Silicone training brushes, along with banana-shaped teethers with bristles, help children transition from just chewing to actual brushing.
- Provide your child with an additional brush so they can develop familiarity with the routine as you brush their teeth.
- Young children like to imitate what others do so brush your teeth alongside their brushing time. Your child will enjoy tooth brushing more when you both brush together at the same time.
- Establish a positive atmosphere during brushing time by remaining consistent and making sure to brush daily at the same time and spot which creates comfort through routine.
- Brush for shorter intervals first to build resistance before lengthening the brushing time. Short periods of toothbrushing are better than totally neglecting oral hygiene practice.
What Is the 2-2-2 Rule for Brushing Teeth?
The 2-2-2 rule provides an easy mental tool to practice proper oral hygiene routines.
- Brush 2 times a day
- For 2 minutes each time
- You need to schedule two dental appointments yearly.
- Parents need to work toward complete 2-minute tooth brushing sessions as their kid grows older but this guideline mostly targets adults and children over 7 years old. A single minute of toothbrushing daily provides significant benefits for children's oral health between the ages of one and four.
FAQs About When to Start Brushing Baby Teeth
Is it OK not to brush the baby's teeth?
No, baby teeth are vital because they help babies eat and speak normally while also setting the proper position for their adult teeth. Neglecting dental brushing can result in tooth cavities and painful conditions affecting babies as young as infants.
Can babies use fluoride toothpaste?
Yes. Brush babies' teeth using a smear-size covering (as big as a grain of rice) when their first tooth becomes visible. Baby teeth benefit from fluoride protection, which provides both safety and helps fight the development of cavities.
How to teach your baby to brush their teeth?
An early start combined with brushing sessions that remain fun will build good dental habits. It's important to let your child hold the toothbrush while using songs or games along with regular brushing routines.
Conclusion
Proper dental care begins with a soft brush paired with minimum fluoride toothpaste and many moments of loving patience. The number of baby teeth your child possesses doesn't matter as long as you maintain consistent dental care. By using proper techniques along with creative approaches and the right brush, you can make dental cleaning part of your daily routine that brings joy to your life. Your baby’s smile is worth it.
