When to Start Brushing Baby Teeth
Having a baby comes with endless responsibilities, and one of those is looking after their teeth as soon as they start to show through. As a parent, you might have tons of questions surrounding your baby’s oral hygiene. For example, when should you start to care for baby teeth – specifically, when to brush them? Your newborn might not have any teeth to take care of, but you may begin to see milk teeth breaking through after a few months, and it’s essential to know how to care for them.
The Age to Start Brushing Baby Teeth
It’s pretty simple: you should start brushing your baby’s teeth as soon as their first milk teeth break through and they start teething. It can happen pretty early but typically occurs at around six months old. It may seem very early, but it’s essential for removing plaque and general bacteria from the teeth and gums, which, in turn, prevents cavities. It’s about giving your baby the best start in life and caring for their health.
Why is Brushing Straight Away Important?
You might wonder if it’s actually important to brush your baby’s teeth when they only have a single tooth coming through. There are many reasons to brush as soon as this occurs:
Healthy Habits: It’s all about establishing healthy habits early on. Get on top of your baby’s oral hygiene and keeping on top of baby gum care by brushing their teeth as soon as they have them and continue this through their childhood.
Preventing Tooth Decay: The last thing you want is for your baby to experience tooth decay, as this can be painful for your little one and difficult to treat. Brushing as soon as the milk teeth come through prevents this.
Healthy Baby Teeth Leads to Healthy Adult Teeth: The health of baby teeth has a direct impact on adult teeth! If you don’t care for baby teeth, this can negatively affect how the adult teeth come through. Caring for baby teeth gives your little one the best chance of beautiful teeth with that first tooth care that doesn’t cause problems later in life.
How to Brush Baby Teeth
You now know to brush your baby’s teeth as soon as their first tooth appears through the gums. The question now is, how do you brush your baby’s teeth?
Purchase the Right Toothpaste and Toothbrush
Your first step is to purchase the correct tools, specifically, the right children’s toothbrush and toothpaste. Regarding toothbrushes, choose a gentle baby tooth brush that has extra soft bristles, as you don’t want to hurt your little one’s gums. It should have a small brush head and be easy for you – the parent/guardian – to hold onto while brushing. A large handle can be helpful here, as there’s less chance of choking.
Regarding toothpaste, choose one specifically made for young babies (under two years old). It’s particularly crucial to not use adult fluoride toothpaste due to the level of fluoride – babies under six months shouldn’t brush with any fluoride, and babies over six months should not use toothpaste with more than 1000ppm fluoride, as it could lead to discolouration.
Place a Small Amount of Toothpaste on the Brush
When you’re ready to brush your baby’s teeth, only place a small amount of toothpaste on the bristles before brushing – the equivalent of a grain of rice is enough! Babies do not require a lot of toothpaste. For one, they don’t have a lot of teeth! On top of that, it’s common for babies to swallow a little of the toothpaste, and you can minimise the amount by only using a little toothpaste before brushing.
Use Circular Motions
When brushing your baby’s teeth, use small, circular motions over the entire area of the tooth – some gentle gum brushing is a good idea here, too. Brush for two minutes using this technique to ensure you clean gums thoroughly.
Brush Twice Daily
To keep your little one’s teeth as clean as possible, brush their teeth twice a day – once in the morning and then once before bedtime. This helps establish a good routine that they can carry on using once they become old enough to brush their teeth themselves!
Make Teeth Brushing Fun
You might find your baby doesn’t enjoy teeth brushing time. To help with this, try to make the process as fun as possible. There are several ways to achieve this, such as singing during the process or making funny faces. Also, be aware that childrens teeth are quite sensitive at a young age, so the cold water from the tap might not be a pleasant experience for them. In this case, you can use slightly lukewarm water.
Take Your Baby to the Dentist
As soon as you spot your baby’s first tooth, schedule an appointment with a dentist, preferably within six months of the tooth coming through. A dentist will be able to perform an exam and any cleaning that may be necessary.
When Can Kids Brush Their Own Teeth?
Be aware you will be brushing your little one’s teeth for several years, as it’s important to ensure the teeth get cleaned properly. Young children do not have the dexterity needed for optimal tooth brushing. Plus, leaving a child alone with a toothbrush can become a choking hazard.
Generally, children can start to brush their teeth with a kids toothbrush when they are seven years old but always supervise them in the early days to ensure they are doing it properly.