When to start brushing baby teeth

Tons of cute milestones happen during a baby’s first year, and one is the appearance of those pearly white teeth. Sure, it comes with drooling and crankiness, and watch out: Nothing is funnier to a baby than their newly discovered ability to bite you.

But after you’ve taken pictures for grandma and grandpa, the next step is to start cleaning your baby’s teeth to keep them healthy.

“Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in the U.S. — more common than childhood obesity, asthma and diabetes,” says Scott W. Cashion, DDS, MS, president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).¹

To keep your baby, the dentist and the tooth fairy happy, learn about oral hygiene for babies and about products that may help you properly care for your child’s teeth.

In this article:

• When do baby teeth come in?
• When to start oral hygiene for babies
• How to brush baby teeth
• Kids’ oral care products to use

When do baby teeth come in?

A baby’s lower front teeth, also known as central lower incisors, will come in between the ages of five and ten months. The upper incisors usually follow a few months later.²

It’s okay if your baby’s teeth aren’t following this schedule exactly, but if they are delayed, consult with a pediatric dentist. In fact, you should take your child to see a pediatric dentist around their first birthday or six months after their first teeth appear, whichever comes first.³

As teeth break through the gums, your baby may experience some pain, drooling, fussiness and sometimes increased temperature. It can be hard to witness, but don’t worry, it’s all part of the teething process. You may not always know when your baby’s teeth are coming in, so keep an eye out for these symptoms.

There are several teething products that can help your baby, including cooling gels and various types of soothing objects to chew on. The AAPD specifically recommends a firm, rubber teething ring.⁴

“Just avoid liquid-filled teething rings or any plastic objects that might break,” says Dr. Cashion.

Another trick Dr. Cashion recommends is soaking a clean washcloth in water, freezing it and then gently putting it against your baby’s gums. He also explains that, if your baby is eating solid foods, items like applesauce or yogurt can be very soothing.

When to start oral hygiene for babies

As soon as teeth appear, you should start brushing them twice a day with a toothbrush designed for small children, explains Dr. Cashion.

Actually, you should start cleaning your baby’s gums before teeth appear, he adds. “Prior to teeth coming in, gently rub the gums with a cool, wet washcloth.” You can also use a clean finger as long as you can’t feel the teeth underneath the gum.

“Rubbing a baby’s gums is a great bonding experience,” adds Marc Lazare, DDS, a dentist based in New York.⁵

How to brush baby teeth

Ready to start brushing? Follow these tips for a smooth experience:⁶

1. Run the toothbrush under warm water to make it softer.
2. Use a very small amount of baby toothpaste — about the size of a grain of rice.
3. Because the area is soft and tender, brush both the new teeth and the gums in gentle, circular motions.
4. Make sure to brush the teeth twice a day, both in the morning and at night, to ensure that food is removed from the mouth and to establish healthy habits with your child.

Kids’ oral care products to use

When it comes to brushing your child’s teeth, you’ll want to choose products tailored to their age that are also safe and efficient. 

Baby toothbrush

When choosing a baby toothbrush, look for a product with soft bristles that is designed for those under age two. That’s important, because the brush needs to fit comfortably in the baby’s mouth.⁷

Because you want to encourage your children to start brushing from a young age, notes Dr. Lazare, it also helps to choose a brush that has a wide, easy-to-grip handle. That way your child can grab hold while you do the work.

Baby toothpaste

Instead of just using your regular toothpaste for your baby’s brushing routine, you’ll want to buy baby toothpaste for kids under 12. Adult toothpaste often has ingredients that may not be appropriate for children, like whiteners.⁸

But don’t worry about fluoride: Low levels have been shown to be safe for babies and can help build strong and healthy teeth.⁹ Though, you may want to consult with your pediatric dentist first to make sure they’re getting the right amount. Dr. Cashion adds that healthy teeth are important because dental caries (or cavities) can rarely make a child more vulnerable to infections in other parts of the body, including the ears, sinuses and brain.

The AAPD recommends using “no more than a smear” of fluoridated toothpaste for children under three years old.¹⁰ Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis, which is characterized by white spots on teeth.¹¹

Kids toothbrush

As a baby’s mouth grows, you should increase the size of the brush head you are using to clean their teeth. Look for the appropriate age on the packaging of the toothbrush and make sure to replace it every three months or sooner if the bristles look worn out.¹²

For toothbrushes for kids, continue to use soft bristles to prevent gum irritation or tender spots where teeth are still poking their way through. Because you want your child to associate brushing their teeth with fun, you might try picking a product with a light-up timer or a character they recognize.

You can also opt for an electric toothbrush for kids. Not only have electric toothbrushes been shown to be better at cleaning teeth and gums than manual toothbrushes,¹³ but they also reduce the guesswork for kids who are still learning how to brush.

Kids toothpaste

As your kid gets older, they may become pickier about the flavor of their toothpaste. Whatever their preference, continue to use a toothpaste for kids that has fluoride to prevent tooth decay, especially as they begin to get their permanent teeth.

When your kid is age 3 and older, the amount of toothpaste on the brush should be increased to the size of a pea.¹⁴