Brush Baby Teeth

Healthy oral hygiene should begin as early as the first tooth eruption. Your child will eventually lose these baby teeth but the healthy oral habits that are taught will remain with your child for several years. Cavities and decay can occur when baby teeth are not properly cared for and can lead to problems with nutrition and speech development. Permanent teeth can be affected and can end up coming in crooked. Establishing good oral hygiene at an early age can help enforce proper dental care for the future. It is easy to turn brushing teeth with baby into routine daily care.

Steps

Check Baby's Mouth Early

  1. Begin checking for baby teeth at birth. Though rare, some babies have come into the world with teeth already present. Check for the presence of teeth by gently sticking a clean finger into the baby’s mouth and feeling around the gums. Feel for tiny ridges or a mild inflammation along the gum line.
  2. Continue to check for tooth eruptions on a regular basis. The speed at which a tooth erupts varies, and while some babies teethe for weeks before the tooth breaks through the gums, other babies can go from no teeth to 2 teeth in a weekend. Checking the gums at least once a week will ensure that you find any new teeth shortly after they come through, allowing you to begin brushing them immediately.

Begin Pre-Teeth Care

  1. Start an oral hygiene routine even before eruptions of teeth begin. Clean gums with a soft wet gauze pad that has been wrapped around your finger. Gently wipe the gums with the gauze to help remove bacteria and clean the gums.
  2. Begin doing this step at least once per day from as early as 2 months of age. You can do it more often if you prefer just make sure you do not overdo it. Excess cleansing can irritate baby’s gums and result in sensitivity or tenderness of the gums.

Care for First Findings

  1. Start early cleanings by wrapping a clean gauze pad over your finger tip and wiping the teeth clean with it. A dry gauze pad will work well in place of a toothbrush at this early stage.
  2. Remember to wipe the front of the tongue at each cleaning. Bacteria can accumulate there as well.

Begin Toothbrush Cleanings

  1. Purchase a soft baby toothbrush once several teeth have emerged. If molars have appeared it is definitely time to swap the gauze for a toothbrush. Look for a very soft bristle brush with 3 or less rows of bristles. By the age of 1 year baby should be brushing with a toothbrush.
  2. Begin the process of teeth brushing with no toothpaste. You are trying to get baby accustomed to the brushing technique. Incorporating toothpaste at this stage can make baby more resistant to the attempts. Use only warm water.
  3. Allow baby to assist you with brushing if he appears interested in helping. Be sure to supervise.
    • Start by encouraging baby to hold on to the toothbrush handle while you brush his teeth.
    • After he is comfortable with that, you can begin letting him brush his own teeth. You will want to go back and do the brushing again after he is finished.
  4. Begin with once a day brushing at first if your baby is resistant to the toothbrush. Gradually work your way up to more frequent brushings until he allows you to brush his teeth after each meal.
  5. Brush both the outside and the inside of the teeth with a gentle back and forth motion. Follow with a gentle up and down motion to both the inside and the outside of the teeth. Be sure to include the tongue in the brushing process.

Add Toothpaste

  1. Start baby out with a baby tooth cleanser. This is safe for baby’s who will have more difficulty with the spit rather than swallow action that is required with toothpaste. This can be used until the age of 3 years.
  2. Incorporate a tiny drop of children’s toothpaste into the routine as baby matures. A drop no larger than a pea is all that is required.
  3. Speak to your health care provider about toothpastes with fluoride in them. If you decide to use toothpaste with fluoride, be sure to decrease the amount used from a pea size drop to a grain of rice size drop to avoid giving too much fluoride to baby.
  4. Make baby drink water after brushing his teeth if he is unable to sip and spit. This will assist with diluting any paste that has been swallowed, which is particularly important if using a paste that contains fluoride.

Encourage Self-Brushing

  1. Begin teaching baby how to brush by himself when he appears able to do so. Keep the time spent brushing to a minimum so he does not become frustrated or lose interest.
  2. Purchase a favorite character toothbrush to encourage brushing.
  3. Turn toothbrush time into a happy time by incorporating silly songs or games into the time spent brushing. Count each tooth as he brushes it. Allow him to look in the mirror while he is brushing his teeth.
  4. Brush your teeth at the same time that your baby brushes his. Speak to him about what you are doing to get him engaged. Encourage him to follow your lead and do what you do.
  5. Follow up the brushing with a glass of water. Continue to work on the rinse and spit technique until he masters it. It can take some time before he perfects this step. Watching you do this can be helpful in the learning process.
  6. Teach your baby about the oral care that is needed to keep his toothbrush clean. Most children love to play in water, so getting him to rinse the brush after brushing should not be too much of a challenge.
  7. Reward your baby for his efforts. Anything that will make your child feel rewarded will work. Offer a special reward after each brushing, such as reading a favorite book, playing with a favorite toy or engaging in a favorite activity. Be creative and find what will work best for your baby.

Begin Flossing When Ready

  1. Avoid flossing your baby’s teeth until any 2 teeth are actually touching each other. The American Dental Association recommends using floss and tooth cleaners in areas that can not be easily cleaned with brushes. While babies teeth are not touching, they can still be easily cleaned with a toothbrush.

Prepare for Baby's First Dental Visit

  1. Schedule your baby’s first dental appointment at the age of 12 months. This is a good time for a dentist to get to know your child and inspect his mouth for any abnormalities that may exist.
  2. Schedule an appointment earlier than 12 months of age if you are concerned that your baby has an issue that may require the assistance of a dental professional or if you have any concerns or questions regarding proper oral health for your child.

Educate Yourself

  1. Be aware of potential problems that may arise. Watch for early childhood cavities, an oral disease that can start out affecting the upper front teeth and over time spread to the first molars.
  2. Learn what can lead to ECC. Baby bottles, nursing, and sippy cups can all affect the condition of your baby’s mouth and teeth.
  3. Discover effective ways to avoid contributing to ECC. Diet and nutrition, oral hygiene, and preventive dental measures are just a few ways you can help cut down on the risk of ECC occurring to your child.

Warnings

  • Speak to your health care provider regarding the use of fluoride. Too much fluoride can lead to fluorosis. Fluorosis can cause permanent white spots to appear on the adult teeth.

Related Articles

  • Get a Baby to Brush Their Teeth

Sources and Citations

Things You'll Need

  • Gauze pads
  • Baby tooth cleanser
  • Baby toothbrush
  • Toothpaste for children under 3

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