When Should I Start Brushing My Baby's Teeth?

Every parent wonders about the best practices for taking care of their baby’s health. One of the most important aspects is dental hygiene. The big question often asked is, “When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?” Let’s take a deep dive into this subject.

Discover the importance of early dental care and learn when to start brushing your baby’s teeth. From birth to their first tooth, and beyond, we guide you through each stage to ensure your baby’s dental health.

The emergence of the first tooth in a baby is a momentous event, often awaited with anticipation by new parents. It’s a sign of the next developmental milestone and the onset of teething troubles. But, this also means parents need to start thinking about their baby’s dental hygiene.

“Good dental health habits should begin before your child’s first tooth comes in,” says the American Dental Association.

Importance of Baby’s Dental Health

Before we dive into when to start brushing your baby’s teeth, let’s understand why dental health is crucial for babies:

• Prevention of tooth decay: Even baby teeth can develop cavities. Early dental care helps to prevent this.
• Healthy adult teeth: Baby teeth guide the growth of adult teeth. Keeping them healthy ensures the adult teeth come in correctly.
• Speech development: Teeth play a crucial role in your child’s speech development.
• Good oral habits: Starting early will foster good oral health habits for the future.

When to Start Brushing

From Birth to First Tooth

Before your baby’s teeth start to appear, you can begin by cleaning their gums. It’s recommended by pediatric dentists to start as early as possible to establish a routine:

• Clean the baby’s gums after feedings and before bedtime.
• Use a soft, clean, damp cloth or a specially designed infant gum massager.
• Gently wipe all areas of the gums and inside of the cheeks.

Appearance of the First Tooth

When the first tooth appears, it’s time to start brushing. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, this usually happens around six months, but it can range from four months to a year.

• Use a soft, infant-sized toothbrush.
• Apply a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste.
• Brush gently twice a day: morning and before bedtime.

Children Aged 3-6 Years

As more teeth begin to appear and your child grows older, you can gradually increase the amount of toothpaste:

• Use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
• Continue brushing twice a day or as directed by a pediatric dentist.
• Teach your child to spit out the toothpaste instead of swallowing it.

Regular Dental Checkups

“Your child should see a dentist by his first birthday,” advises the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Early dental visits help in educating parents about the right oral care, detecting any early signs of dental issues, and getting the child comfortable with dental checkups.

Starting early with dental care is crucial to a child’s health. By beginning with gentle gum cleaning, progressing to brushing with the appearance of the first tooth, and continuing with regular dental checkups, parents can ensure their child’s teeth and gums remain healthy.

Teaching these habits is not only beneficial for your child’s dental health but can also lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy routines. As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”, so starting early will always benefit your little one in the long run.

Q1: Why is dental hygiene important for babies?

A1: Dental hygiene is crucial for babies to prevent tooth decay, even in baby teeth. Moreover, healthy baby teeth guide the growth of adult teeth, and play a significant role in your child’s speech development. Starting early with good oral health habits can foster a lifetime of healthy routines.

Q2: When should I start cleaning my baby’s gums?

A2: Cleaning your baby’s gums should start before the first tooth emerges. This can be as early as a few days after birth. It is recommended to clean the baby’s gums after feedings and before bedtime using a soft, clean, damp cloth or a specially designed infant gum massager.

Q3: When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?

A3: As soon as the first tooth appears, you should start brushing your baby’s teeth. This typically happens around six months, but it can range from four months to a year. Use a soft, infant-sized toothbrush and a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. Brush gently twice a day: in the morning and before bedtime.

Q4: How much toothpaste should I use for my baby?

A4: For a child under three years, use a rice-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste. As more teeth appear and your child grows older, around the age of 3-6 years, you can increase the amount to a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.

Q5: When should my baby have their first dentist appointment?

A5: The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises that a child should see a dentist by their first birthday. Early dental visits are essential for educating parents about the right oral care, detecting early signs of dental issues, and acclimatizing the child to regular dental checkups.

Q6: What role do baby teeth play in the development of adult teeth?

A6: Baby teeth serve as guides for the eruption of permanent (adult) teeth. They hold the space for adult teeth. Keeping them healthy ensures the adult teeth come in correctly.

Q7: Is it harmful if my baby swallows toothpaste while brushing?

A7: Swallowing small amounts of fluoride toothpaste while brushing is not harmful. However, children should be taught to spit out the toothpaste after brushing as soon as they’re capable, usually around the age of 3-6 years, to prevent ingestion of excessive fluoride.