With your baby's first tooth emerging, you might have questions about when to start brushing, what toothpaste is safe, and how to brush a wriggling baby’s teeth. Fortunately, we've had the pleasure to work with thousands of families who are navigating these exact questions, and here's what we've learned:
Starting early makes everything easier down the road.
That doesn’t just apply to their teeth, but importantly to building habits that stick and last a lifetime.
This guide covers evidence-based solutions on when to start brushing, choosing the right toothpaste, handling resistance, and booking that first dental visit.
Why Start So Early?
Between nappy changes, night feeds, and figuring out if that cry means hungry or tired, your baby's teeth probably aren't top of your worry list right now, and that’s completely understandable!
However, one important lesson we've learned from working with countless caregivers like yourself is that brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth appears can boost your confidence and motivation. Starting early also makes it easier to establish a strong dental hygiene routine that lasts.
Experience shows that kids who start early rarely end up fighting the brushing process later. In contrast, beginning to brush at two or three years old often leads to ongoing brushing battles, as you're asking them to do something entirely new.
Starting early is easier than starting later.
Baby teeth are more important than you may realise. They help guide adult teeth into the correct positions, allow your child to eat comfortably, and support clear speech development. Protecting these teeth can provide peace of mind, knowing that you are establishing a strong foundation for your child's health.
If you're wondering why starting early is so important, here's a stat that still surprises most parents: tooth decay is the most common reason children aged 5-9 end up in hospital.¹ A national survey of 3-year-olds in 2020 found that 11% already had visible tooth decay, with an average of 3 teeth affected.⁵
Fortunately, most tooth decay is preventable with simple daily habits if you start as soon as the first tooth appears.
The good news? Protecting your baby's teeth doesn't require fancy equipment or tons of time. A few minutes each day, the right toothpaste, and some straightforward habits are all it takes to build that lifelong habit.
The Basics of Caring for Your Child’s First Teeth
When do I start?
Begin brushing your baby's teeth as soon as the first tooth emerges, which is typically around 6 months of age.² However, some babies may get their first tooth earlier or later, and both variations are completely normal.²
The first tooth is usually characterised by a slight white edge appearing through the gum, usually at the front on the bottom. When you see this, it's time to start brushing.
What toothpaste shall I use?
A quick trip to the supermarket might have you thinking you need to buy a specific “baby-safe toothpaste.” However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. In actual fact, you can use your regular family toothpaste to brush your baby’s first teeth.
Yep, that’s right. Just use the same toothpaste that you use on your own teeth for your baby’s first teeth, too.
Simply check the tube or box for 1450ppm fluoride.³
A toothpaste containing at least 1,000ppm fluoride is recommended. Many family toothpastes contain 1,350 to 1,500 ppm, which your child can use with the right amount. There’s no need to buy special "baby" toothpaste with lower fluoride content, as using one toothpaste for the whole household is more economical and sustainable.
How much toothpaste do I use?
For babies and toddlers under the age of 3, use just a smear of toothpaste. This means applying a thin layer to the bristles, roughly the size of a grain of rice.
This small amount is safe if they swallow it, which is likely at this age, so there’s no need to worry.
What toothbrush shall I use?
When choosing a toothbrush for your child, opt for a small, soft-bristled brush specifically designed for babies or toddlers. Ensure that the head is small enough to comfortably navigate around your baby's mouth without causing them to gag.
Replace the toothbrush every three months, or sooner if the bristles appear worn or frayed. As a guideline, it takes the same amount of pressure to gently blanch a fingernail as it does to effectively disrupt plaque when brushing.
When to brush in the day?
Brush your teeth twice a day: once in the morning and once before bed (after the last milk feed or meal).
Bedtime brushing is especially important. Why? Because saliva flow decreases during sleep, meaning your teeth have less natural protection overnight.³ That’s why the bedtime brush is crucial.
After brushing
Spit out the toothpaste. Don't rinse.
This may feel counterintuitive, but rinsing with water washes away the fluoride that's protecting their teeth. Allow it to remain and work its magic.³
For babies and young toddlers who can’t spit yet, that’s okay. Just wipe away any excess toothpaste with a clean cloth if necessary. Remember, don’t rinse their mouths with water.
Their first dental visit
Take your baby to the dentist by their first birthday.⁴
This may seem early (many parents are surprised when we mention it), but it’s important. The first visit is gentle; the dentist will check your baby’s mouth, look at how their teeth are coming through, and provide personalised advice. Plus, dental visits for kids are free on the NHS.
In practice, children who visit the dentist early tend to feel more relaxed about dental care as they grow up. This leads to fewer fears and anxieties, turning dental visits into just a routine check-up.
Making It Work
How to brush a baby's teeth
For babies (under 12 months):
- Sit down and lay your baby on your lap with their head resting against your body.
- Use one hand to support their chin gently.
- If your baby fusses, try making it a gentle, calm routine and use small, circular movements to brush all surfaces.
- Surfaces: front, back, and the little chewing surfaces on each tooth.
- Patience helps build cooperation over time.
For toddlers (12 months to 3 years):
- Stand or sit behind your child.
- Tilt their chin up gently so you can see what you're doing.
- Use small circular movements across all tooth surfaces.
- If it helps them cooperate, let them hold a spare toothbrush, as it gives them something to do with their hands.
Aim for about 2 minutes.
In reality, this can feel like an eternity with a wriggling baby. Do the best you can; any brushing is better than no brushing at all.
When your baby or toddler resists
Not every baby cooperates cheerfully at first, and that's completely normal. You're not doing anything wrong.
It's common to see a baby who happily accepts brushing at 8 months suddenly refuse at 18 months. Toddlers are flexing their independence muscles. This is a phase, not a failure on your part.
Here are some effective strategies:
- Make it routine. Brush at the same time, in the same place, every single day. Predictability helps toddlers feel secure, even as they test boundaries.
- Let them hold a toothbrush. Give them their own brush to clutch while you do the actual brushing with another one. It gives them some control, which is what they're after anyway.
- Sing or count. Use a familiar song (like "Twinkle, Twinkle") or count to 20. This provides a clear structure and endpoint, while distracting them from what they are protesting.
- Use a mirror. Toddlers are fascinated by their own reflections. Brush in front of a mirror so they can see what's happening; this makes the process more interesting instead of annoying.
- Stay calm and consistent. If brushing becomes a battle, take a deep breath and keep the atmosphere as relaxed as possible. Your energy influences the situation more than you may realise.
Some evenings will be harder than others, but consistency over time is more important than achieving perfection on any single night.
Feeding and drinks
What your baby eats and drinks has a significant impact on their teeth, just as brushing does.
Bottles and cups: Only put breast milk, formula, or water in bottles. Avoid juice, squash, or sugary drinks.²
No bottles in bed. If your baby falls asleep with a bottle of milk, the liquid pools around their teeth for hours, increasing the risk of decay.3 If they need comfort to sleep, offer water instead.
Move to a cup from 6 months. Introduce a free-flow cup (avoid sippy cups with a valve, as they keep liquid in contact with teeth longer) starting around 6 months. Aim to ditch bottles entirely by 12 months.² Drinking from a cup is better for teeth and speech development.
Sugar and snacks
Keep sugary foods and drinks to mealtimes only.
It’s not just about how much sugar is consumed, but also how often. Every time sugar enters the mouth, bacteria produce acid that attacks tooth enamel. Teeth need time to recover between exposures.
Frequent snacking on sugary foods or sipping juice all day exposes teeth to constant acid attacks, which is not ideal.
Safer snack options: Cheese, plain yoghurt, vegetables, breadsticks, rice cakes, and toast are all tooth-friendly.
Fresh fruit is better than sweets or biscuits, but remember that fruit contains natural sugars, and some are acidic. Stick to non-acidic fruits like bananas and melons as part of meals rather than constant snacks. ³
Dried fruit can stick to teeth and is high in concentrated sugar; keep it for mealtimes if you choose to offer it at all.
Teething
Teething affects every child differently. Some children breeze through with barely a whimper, while others can be unsettled for days before each tooth appears.
Signs of teething: More drooling than usual, flushed cheeks, chewing on fingers or toys, swollen or tender gums, and mild grumpiness.
What helps: Chilled teething rings soothe sore gums. Pop the ring in the fridge (not the freezer). Gently rubbing your baby's gums with a clean finger can help too.
What teething doesn't cause: High fever, diarrhoea, or serious illness.² If your baby has these symptoms, see your GP. Don't chalk it up to "just teething."
Continue brushing during teething, even if the gums are tender, but use a gentle touch.
Setting Them Up for the Future
The habits you're building now stick around. Children who grow up brushing twice a day don't think of it as a chore later on. It simply becomes part of their daily routine, like washing their hands or putting on shoes.
Kids who visit the dentist from an early age tend to feel comfortable there. Regular check-ups aren’t scary for them because they’ve always been a natural part of their lives.
Furthermore, maintaining healthy baby teeth significantly increases the likelihood that they will enjoy healthy adult teeth as well. This can help them avoid painful dental issues, missed days at nursery, and the stress of extractions that affect far too many young children.¹
These small daily habits are among the most protective things you can do for your child's long-term health. Just two minutes of brushing twice a day with the right toothpaste, choosing water over juice, limiting sugary treats to mealtime, and scheduling a dental visit before their first birthday can make a significant difference.
None of this requires perfection. There will be chaotic evenings and days when brushing doesn't happen as planned. What matters is coming back to the routine.
If you're ever unsure about your baby's teeth, your dentist or health visitor can help. That's what they're there for.
Quick Reference
When to Get Help
See your dentist if you notice:
- White or brown spots on your baby's teeth
- Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
- Signs of pain when eating or drinking
- Visible damage to teeth (chips, cracks)
- Any concerns about how the teeth are developing
See your GP if your baby has:
- High fever alongside teething symptoms
- Diarrhoea, vomiting, or rash
- Teething symptoms lasting more than a few days with no tooth appearing
- Any symptoms that seem more than mild teething discomfort
If you're unsure whether something is normal, ask. Dentists and health visitors are happy to check and reassure you.
