How to Start Brushing Teeth

The baby stores have the little brushes you put over your finger to rub their teeth. You don't use any toothpaste just a little water. You can do the teeth and the gums.

At this stage you can still just use a wash cloth to wipe them and get your child used to having her teeth "brushed". Otherwise there are super soft brushes that slip over your finger to give you more control. I think mine came with the gum cleaner. It is never too early to start good oral hygiene. Our pediatric dentist asked me if I was cleaning my daughter's gums and she was only 2 months old.

J., I work in a dental office and yes you start brushing teeth as soon as they appear. You can get a toddler or baby toothbrush from the drugstore. Just brush the teeth in small circles. We do not recommend you use toothpaste until the child can spit, swallowing toothpaste will make them sick and is not necessary for manual cleaning.

Take a wash cloth after meals and before bed and rub it over her teeth. You could also find a toothbrush for infants if you wanted to. Toothpaste is not necessary at this age.

Our dr suggested beginning as young as 1 month...just take a damp washcloth and rub the gums a couple of times a day. This will also help a lot with teething, we actually found our kids seemed to have less troubles than other children. Instead of teething rings we gave our kids soft bristle brushes to chew on when they sat in their chair (high or bouncy) and kept a good eye on them.
I used to work in a big box daycare and did a unit on dental care for my toddler class (18-36mos.) and the pediactric dentists I talked to said most parents make three mistakes (1) too much toothpaste-no larger than a pea even for an adult; (2)using a highly flavored/sugared kids toothpaste--there is also questions about artificial toothpaste. They felt that reg.(no whitener, tartar control, mouthwash, etc) was fine if you used the small amount, what little floride they swallow shouldn't cause problems; (3)letting the child eat or drink within 30-45 min after brushing...it takes that long for flouride to penetrate teeth, also when you brush ou take off the top protective coating of the teeth and it takes that long for the teeth and saliva to 'knit' a new layer.
Hope this helps.
About me: SAHM, mother of 4, married 20 yrs, worked in bigbox daycare for over 6 yrs. BA in ChildPsy.

Hi J.. I have a 2 year old and a 6 month old also. We started started brushing my oldest son's teeth as soon as he started getting them. They make a little "finger brush" and actually baby toothpaste. I'd check either the baby section or by the regular toothpaste items. As soon as our 6 month old gets teeth(very soon gaging by the drool!) we will start with him. We have already started "massaging" his gums with the finger toothbrush. It eases his discomfort and this way he will be used to it when we start brushing. Happy cleaning!

HI J. R, I am a dental hygienist and have a 9 month old with 2 little bottom teeth too. You should really start brushing or wiping off their gums as a very young infant, they do build up plaque and bacteria on gums too. It's good to get your child used to having you work in their mouth and good for their future dental visits. You can find what looks like a finger cot but is soft rubber with little nubbins on it at the store it's easy to use because you just slip it on your finger and rub your finger on their gums. Toddler toothpaste is good because it doesn't have fluoride in it and kids tend to suck that off pretty quick they don't need to much of it yet and with the flavor on the brush they are more apt to let you in their mouth. Do only use small soft brushes on them & it does help to wet the bristle so as not to rub stiff bristles on their gums. I hope this helps!

Do not use tooth paste. A little sea salt mixed with olive oil would make a good rub for baby's teeth and gums.

We used the gerber toothpaste. It came with a little brush that you put on the end of your finger. It was softer than the tooth brushes. It has been awhile, I'm not sure if they still make this. After that we used oragel toddler toothpaste. It's alright if they swallow it since it doesn't have flouride.

I started brushing my daughters teeth at that age. I used, and still use, the Oral B baby teeth and gum cleanser along with an infant (super soft) toothbrush. There were sometimes that I would just use water on the brush also. It's never to early to start good habits.

i have twins who are now 7 and they did not begin brushing their teeth until they were much older. Maybe 12 months. And they hardly ever let me help them. When they began going to the dentist at 2 - every visit they always got great reviews and the dentist always commented that I must help them. Well, as I said they would never let me - very stubborn. I think the key was. I did not put anything in their bottles -ever except formula, milk, or water and their sippy cups never had anything except water which I kept full for them all day long. If they wanted to drink juice or KoolAid it was in a regular cup at the table. It was treated as a treat and not something to drink for thirst. They did not try soda until they were 2 1/2 and we were flying on an airplane - again it is a treat because it is something that is not good for you. They are now 7 and they fully understand the difference. We never have sodas in our house and rarely anything else to drink besides milk and lots and lots of water. They are so used to drinking water that my son even has water with his cookies. I have daycare providers and parents always asking about why he has to have water with everything - why not milk with snack? I am surprised how many people think it is odd. But anyhow, I believe this is the key to their very positive dentist visits. They brush their teeth once a day (they tell me some days they forget when they are with their dad and yet they still get rave reviews at dentist visits). Sugary drinks and soda especially is so bad for teeth. Soda actually coats their teeth with sugar and the acid in them strips the protective enamel away. We do allow the children to drink sodas when we are out (and I believe their dad allows it in his home) so they have a healthy attitude with food and treats - we do not deny. But simply start with good habits when you have the control and just don't provide those things in your home. Good Luck!

You do not need any kind of tooth paste because you do not want the baby to eat it. At that age if it goes in the mouth they eat it. They make little rubber things that fit on to your finger. They have little rubber brush like things on the tip. You really do not need to buy anything though. You can just rub a damp wash cloth over the teeth after every feeding. The problem is that babies get a lot of milk or formula. It sticks to the teeth and can sit inside their mouth. I used to give my babies a few sips of water after each feeding to rinse the milk from the mouth and then wipe the teeth with a wash cloth.

My daughter's doctor told me that using a soft washcloth and water to just wipe the tooth was fine at that age...

My pediatrician said to use a baby toothbrush with baby toothpaste (I used the Baby Einstein kind). The toothpaste doesn't really do much, but it tastes better and babies aren't so resistant to getting their teeth brushed. My little girl loves to get her teeth brushed... Good luck to you.

My daughter is 7 months old and has her two bottom teeth, too. I've been wiping her gums after meals with a damp cloth since she started solids at about 4 months. I still use the damp cloth at mealtime for her teeth, but have started using a soft toothbrush with a little water at bedtime. I brush my own teeth in front of her at her bedtime, so she can see me practicing good habits, too.

The little blue finger thingy they sell with the Gerber toothpaste in the baby section of the stores works great until they are ready for a toothbrush. Although you do want to let her have her own toothbrush to hold so she can get comfortable with the concept. Kinda like letting them hold their own spoon while you spoon-feed them their baby cereal. I do strongly recommend making an appointment with a Pediatric Dentist (very different from just a Dentist), and take her in for a visit. Just because she is 6 months old and has only two teeth is no reason to delay getting good advice straight from the doctor, and her getting used to going there will ease her (and you) into the inevitable dentist appointments she'll have to go to when she's older. If the dental staff says she doesn't need to be seen, call a different pediatric dentist. A good one will happily invite you to see them, despite the fact she's only 6 months old. It is a good chance to get very good advice that you don't want to later wish you had gotten earlier if only! Believe me, I wish I had! I have learned TONS from having my children go to Pediatric Dentists versus a regular Dentist.

When you do choose toothpaste for when she's older, I would like to urge you to use the Tom's of Maine brand strawberry flavored fluoride toothpaste. We start using it with a little toothbrush at age one. It has always been a big hit with my little ones and it doesn't have all the junk in it that the conventional brands use...and you can even buy it at Wal-Mart!

J.,
I would suggest to wipe your baby's teeth with a washcloth for right now.

This is the perfect time to start her on this good habit. The gum cleanser is good for now, as she cut more teeth you can switch her to soft bristle baby toothbrush. Gerber or Earth's best makes those gum cleanser. You can find infant tooth gel too that are apple flavor but the dentist's that I worked with suggest the baby tooth gel that have xylitol. Xylitol is naturally occurring sugar that not only prevents cavities but also halt the development if one is already occurring. You can find this kind of tooth gel in a co-op or grocery stores that cell organic stuff.My son who is 13 month old now likes it and he knows when I said toothbrush time he will open his mouth for me to brush his teeth. I hope this helps.

Yes - a soft brush or one of those that fits over your finger with the bristles at the ends works.
You don't need toothpaste at this state - water works fine. Both of my boys went to the dentist at 12 months so don't forget to schedule that appt.

Sorry if this is a repeat - I haven't read any of the other responses.

I was told when my kids were young to just clean them with a damp washcloth - but you can also use just a toothbrush. My kids would love to chew on them and they'll get used to the feeling. Make sure you do this before they go to bed!

With my girls first teeth all I used was baby toothpaste and a gum brush. They really didnt start brushing with a tooth brush til they all where pretty much in. And even then I still used baby tooth paste. Which Im told your supposed to as theres no floride in it.
Happy Birthday to your little one and yes time does fly when your loving life. Hugs

My kids both have had problems with tooth decay, so especially after my first I have been very careful about caring for their teeth.
You could use any toothbrush made for babies, or the gum cleaner you mentioned, or just a wet washcloth.
I know that most dentists recommend a visit at 3 years old, but our pediatric dentist recommends a visit when teeth first erupt.
Good luck!

Yes, definitely start brushing them! You don't want to use floride toothpaste, however, as it will be too strong for an infant. They do sell non-floride toothpaste, but you may choose to just "brush" without it. Use either your finger with a soft (damp) wash cloth wrapped around it or you could use an extrasoft toddler toothbrush. Get into the habit of running your finger or the toothbrush (wetted) around his gums and get as much of the surface of the teeth as you can. This will create the habit of taking care of her teeth, and stop cavities !

I've been taking my daughter to the dentist since she was 1 yrs old. The advice they gave me was to brush her teeth with a small toothbrush (baby size) with soft bristles with just water until she was 2 years old. After two you can add a tiny pea size amount of toothpaste and work on teaching them to spit it out and not swallow it.

It is never to early to start brushing teeth. Start out with a baby brush that fits on your finger. Not only will they enjoy it, but you will be starting good oral hygene habits. They do sell training tooth paste from oral B that does not contain flouride. Also never give a baby juice or sugared drinks in a bottle. I am a dental assitant and wish more Mom's were as concerned as you are about dental health. It makes our job so much easier if children have had exposer to dental care before they are seen as a patient.

It's never too early to start brushing those gums! I have a 3-year-old and I started brushing as soon as those first teeth started poking through, and now she does it on her own even! There is special toothpaste that is safe for your little one to swallow, and there are super soft brushes for the sensitive gums. I would just start working it into your bedtime routine as soon as possible. I've seen what some other moms have to go through at bed time, and it makes it much easier when they are used to brushing their teeth every night. I found that my daughter was especially excited when I let her chose a brush at the store, and let her watch me while I brush my teeth. Now, I brush hers and if she does well, I tell her she can have a turn, too!

As far as brushing your baby's teeth, you do not want to use an actual toothbrush as it might hurt her. You can go to any store and get a infant tooth brush. I don't think you use tooth paste either.

Hope this helps

Morning, J.!

Absolutely start brushing now! As many people have stated, a brush that fits over your finger works well with the toothpaste that comes with it. (you can buy just the brush and toothpaste separately.) Very important to remember to not use adult toothpaste with flouride until at least the age of 4, because flouride before then can damage their adult teeth, and kids don't really know how to rinse and spit properly until around that age.

Wet washcloth works fine, too. Toothbrushes nowadays have the age they're recommended for written on the package. A small one with extra soft bristles work fine. The finger brush may be a bit easier to use though. They're very soft. Doesn't hurt to brush the rest of her gums, either.

Dentists seem to differ as to when little ones should start seeing a dentist. My daughter couldn't see our family dentist until she was two; this was their rule. A pediatric dentist may have a different age requirement. Worth checking out.

HTH!
T.