When do brush my babys teeth

Brushing Baby's Teeth. Medically Reviewed by Michelle Kelman, D. Medical Review Policy All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals.

From the very first tooth, your baby will benefit from proper dental care. Back to Top. In This Article. Continue Reading Below. Read This Next. Best Baby Toothbrushes. Best Baby Toothpastes. The 9-Month Well-Baby Visit. All About Teething. View Sources. If you have questions regarding how we process your Personal Data and what we store about you, please contact PrivacyInternational HighmarkHealth.

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Notes: This consent is given voluntarily and can be revoked at any time in writing by sending an email to PrivacyInternational HighmarkHealth. You can use this brush like you did the wet rag before your baby had their first tooth.

Toothpaste should be saved for when your child is around 2 years of age, which is when a child should begin to brush their own teeth. At this age, they should be old enough to avoid swallowing toothpaste. Since babies and toddlers have such small mouths, it could be more helpful for the both of you to use a small floss pick. Getting your baby used to having his mouth cleaned as part of his daily routine should make it easier to transition into toothbrushing later on, too.

As your child's teeth start to appear generally around 6 months , the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP recommends that you start brushing them with a bit of fluoride toothpaste. Here's how:. For now, your baby's teeth will be far enough apart that you don't have to worry about flossing. In fact, there's no evidence that flossing baby teeth makes a difference. Most dentists recommend starting to floss when tooth surfaces touch and you can't clean them with a toothbrush.

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening tooth enamel and making it more resistant to acids and harmful bacteria. But while a little fluoride is a good thing for your baby's teeth, too much of it can lead to a condition called fluorosis , which causes white spots to show up on your child's adult teeth. This is why it's important to use only a tiny amount of toothpaste until your child is old enough to rinse and spit it out.

Once your baby is 6 months old, he should also get a certain amount of fluoride from drinking water or water used to make formula. If your water doesn't contain enough fluoride, your child may need to take a fluoride supplement. Note: In general, it's not a good idea to give your baby water until he's about 6 months old. Until then, he'll get all the hydration he needs from breast milk or formula, even in hot weather. Read more about giving water to your baby.

If the water you use to make your baby's formula contains fluoride, he'll get fluoride from his bottle feedings. Most municipal water supplies are fortified with adequate fluoride. Call your local water authority to find out about yours. Read more about what kind of water to use to prepare baby formula.