X
TAP top app download banner
theAsianparent Singapore Logo
theAsianparent Singapore Logo
Product Guide
Sign in
  • Together Against RSV
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • Events
  • Holiday Hub
  • Aptamil
    • Immunity
    • Intelligence
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • VIP

Brushing Baby Teeth: When to Start and Best Ways to Do It

3 min read
Brushing Baby Teeth: When to Start and Best Ways to Do It

Learn the basics of baby's dental hygiene! Find out when to start brushing and how with help from leading pediatric dentists!

Your infant’s baby teeth can erupt from the gums as early as 4 months after birth, though many babies won’t start to see any development until around their 6 month.

While it’s exciting for parents to see those first few teeth come in, you may be wondering some important questions. For example, “When am I supposed to start brushing my baby’s teeth?” or “What are the best ways to go about brushing my infant’s teeth?”

Well, look no further cavity conscious moms and dads! Today, we’re going to go over the basics of brushing baby teeth based on suggestions from dentists and experts. When it’s all said and done you’ll be brushing those baby snaggers with ease!

Let’s start with the basics, shall we?

When to start

Aura Caldera, DDS, a dentist based out of New York/New Jersey, suggests “Before your baby’s first tooth erupts, you should get in the habit of wiping their gums with a soft, wet washcloth or baby finger toothbrush, especially after feedings and at bedtime.”

Once a baby’s first tooth erupts, parents should begin to brush twice a day. Ideally, once in the morning (after breakfast) and once at night (after dinner). Also, make sure that no meals follow the last brushing session of the day.

 

Best method

kiss baby on mouth

“Choose a soft-bristled brush with a small head and a comfortable handle,” Caldera recommends. “Use only a tiny rice size smear of toothpaste, and brush gently around your child’s teeth, both front and back.”

Be sure to be mindful of the back teeth and lower teeth where bacteria often accumulate, she adds.

 

Type of toothpaste

Before you pick a toothpaste, you should check if your baby’s vitamin consists of fluoride. If so, then opt for a non-fluoridated training toothpaste. If not, Robert Delarosa, DDS, a Baton Rouge-based pediatric dentist and the former president of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommends using just the rice-size amount of standard fluoridated toothpaste.

 

Flossing

Dental Floss Pick Dental Floss Toothpick 30 Picks Per Bag ...

Also known as floss picks. | Image Source: Alibaba

Delarosa says that as soon as teeth begin to touch each other, parents need to start flossing. To make the process a bit easier, he recommends using the “claw-shaped” types of flossers. If you’re having trouble envisioning this type of tool, here’s a look. These types of contraptions make it easier to manoeuvre through an infant’s mouth and should make it easier to clean their teeth.

 

Helping them cope with the process

Babies don’t always take too kindly to the process of brushing and flossing. However, it’s a necessary evil, so to say. That’s why parents have to work hard to help babies cope with the process.

“It helps to sing or play a song that they like to keep them distracted,” Delarosa suggests. “Also, if your baby loves the bath, you can brush and floss then while she’s splashing around and playing.”

 

First dentist appointment

Brushing Baby Teeth: When to Start and Best Ways to Do It

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistr, parents should schedule baby’s first dentist appointment around their first birthday.

Dr. Caldera claims, “Making a dental exam part of their yearly well visits helps to establish a dental home, which is important for preventing cavities, as well as learning about your baby’s growth, development, and oral health.”

This article was based on a post from Momtastic

Republished with permission from: theAsianparent Philippines

 

Partner Stories
Mom, Is Your Baby's Mouth Ulcer Keeping You Up at Night?
Mom, Is Your Baby's Mouth Ulcer Keeping You Up at Night?
Preschool Education is Not as Easy as A-B-C! Here’s What Your Child Really Learns and Why It’s Important!
Preschool Education is Not as Easy as A-B-C! Here’s What Your Child Really Learns and Why It’s Important!
New Parents Guide: Essential Tips for Managing Newborn Diaper Changes Like a Pro
New Parents Guide: Essential Tips for Managing Newborn Diaper Changes Like a Pro
Baby Weight Chart in Singapore: Unlock the Secrets to Assessing Newborn Weight!
Baby Weight Chart in Singapore: Unlock the Secrets to Assessing Newborn Weight!

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Jan Alwyn

  • Home
  • /
  • Ages & Stages
  • /
  • Brushing Baby Teeth: When to Start and Best Ways to Do It
Share:
  • What is the Ideal Height for a 2-Year-Old? Also Check Out Tips for Children to Grow Tall and Healthy

    What is the Ideal Height for a 2-Year-Old? Also Check Out Tips for Children to Grow Tall and Healthy

  • How to Bathe Your Newborn Baby: A Gentle Step-by-Step Guide for New Parents

    How to Bathe Your Newborn Baby: A Gentle Step-by-Step Guide for New Parents

  • ​Reporting Child Abuse in Singapore: A Guide for Everyone​

    ​Reporting Child Abuse in Singapore: A Guide for Everyone​

  • What is the Ideal Height for a 2-Year-Old? Also Check Out Tips for Children to Grow Tall and Healthy

    What is the Ideal Height for a 2-Year-Old? Also Check Out Tips for Children to Grow Tall and Healthy

  • How to Bathe Your Newborn Baby: A Gentle Step-by-Step Guide for New Parents

    How to Bathe Your Newborn Baby: A Gentle Step-by-Step Guide for New Parents

  • ​Reporting Child Abuse in Singapore: A Guide for Everyone​

    ​Reporting Child Abuse in Singapore: A Guide for Everyone​

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
  • Family Occasions
  • Lifestyle
  • Normal Delivery
  • Ages & Stages
  • Trying To Conceive
  • News
  • TAP Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
© Copyright theAsianparent 2025. All rights reserved
About Us|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it