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When should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?
Tooth brushing can begin as soon as your baby’s teeth begin to show – but it won’t look like your version of toothbrushing straight away! Our Teething Experts share their top tips for brushing your little one's teeth.
Tooth brushing can begin as soon as your baby’s teeth begin to show – but it won’t look like your version of toothbrushing straight away!
Starting early helps to establish good habits, and with the right approach you can make toothbrushing fun. Use a child-sized toothbrush or a baby finger brush and squeeze a small amount of baby toothpaste onto the brush. Most supermarkets and chemists will sell the baby brushes and paste. Your dentist will also give you some after the first visit.
Top tips for cleaning baby’s teeth
- Start brushing when the first teeth come through. You can start brushing as soon as the first tooth comes in normally the lower front teeth erupt around 6 months of age (but it can vary by a few months).
- Brush twice daily. Brushing at bedtime and at one other time each day. Building this habit into the daily routine from the beginning makes life easier for both you and your baby.
- How to brush your little one's teeth. A good position for a young baby is to have them sat on your knee, with their head resting against your chest.
- Use a baby-appropriate toothbrush with a small head, soft bristles and an easy grip handle.
- Apply a tiny smear of fluoridated toothpaste. For ages 0-3 it should contain no less than 1000ppm of fluoride (this will be clear on the packaging).
When should my baby go to the dentist for the first time?
You should register you baby with a dentist when the first teeth start erupting, however, not all dentists take on new NHS patients. It’s a good idea to take your baby along to your appointments so they get used to going.
When your baby turns 1, it can be a good time to make an appointment. This is primarily to get them used to going to the dentist and keeping their teeth clean.
Advice & tips
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Important notice: Breastfeeding is best. Follow on milk should only be used as part of a mixed diet from 6 months. Talk to a Healthcare professional.
