When should I start brushing my baby's teeth?
Start cleaning your baby's teeth as soon as they start to appear. Your baby's teeth can still be affected by harmful decay, even at a very young age.
Clean your baby's teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. At first, you may find it easier to use a piece of clean gauze or cloth wrapped around your finger.
As more teeth appear you should use a toothbrush that is specifically designed for babies. These toothbrushes have soft, small heads, which will help to prevent any damage to the gums. Make sure you gently massage around the teeth and gums with the toothbrush.
You only need to use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste when your child is a baby. There are several toothpastes specifically designed for babies and children.
A toothpaste with a fluoride level of at least 1,000 parts per million is suitable for babies and children up to three years old (the fluoride levels can be found on the toothpaste packaging).
Dummies, teething rings and bottles
Never dip your baby's dummy or teething ring into fruit syrups, honey, fruit juices or anything that contains sugars. These can expose your baby's teeth to harmful acids, which can attack the newly formed teeth and cause decay.
Also, never add sugar to bottle feeds or use sugary drinks. Milk and water are the best drinks for teeth.
Bottle-feeding with drinks that contain sugar can lead to 'bottle caries' (tooth decay). Babies are not born with a sweet tooth, so they only have a taste for sugar if it is given at an early age.
Dental check-ups
Your dentist can advise you about when to take your baby for their first dental appointment. You may want to take your baby with you to your own dental check-ups, as this may help your baby get familiar and comfortable with the surroundings.
Your baby’s check-up appointments can start from around six months of age or from the age that the teeth start to appear.
See the Health A-Z topic Dental care for babies and children for more detailed information about caring for your baby’s teeth.
