Home Dental Care for Your Child

Your baby's delicate gums and tiny teeth need attention right from the start, so setting up good habits early is super important. But many parents aren't sure what good baby teeth care includes. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about how to care for a baby's teeth and gums and how to brush infant teeth, helping you with oral care for newborns and older babies at home.

When Should I Start Brushing My Baby’s Teeth?

Ensuring healthy teeth for life starts with newborn oral care, even before that first tooth pops up. Begin by wiping your baby's gums after feeding to help reduce any bacteria hanging around. No need for toothpaste yet; just gently wipe or brush the gums in circular motions with a soft, moist washcloth, a piece of gauze, or a soft, wet toothbrush. Your baby may not get what you're doing right away, but babies love routines and will start to recognize dental care as part of their day. You'll also get them used to the feeling of having their mouth cleaned, which will make the switch to brushing their teeth a bit easier. As soon as you see a tooth, it's time to learn how to brush your infant's teeth as part of their morning and evening rituals.

How Should I Clean My Baby’s First Teeth?

Use a wet, soft-bristled brush or a soft, textured finger cover to gently brush your baby's teeth and gums. Learning how to care for baby teeth and gums is key to preventing tooth decay. The goal is to remove bacteria that can turn into damaging plaque—a sticky, usually colorless film on the teeth that leads to decay.

Bacteria can also be passed to your baby's mouth by sharing things like spoons and cups, so if you're being extra careful, try to keep this to a minimum.

How Many Times a Day Should I Brush My Child’s Teeth?

Brushing twice a day is the way to go. Brush your little one's teeth after breakfast and before bedtime. Just remember not to give any more food or drink (except water) afterward to prevent bacteria from hanging around.

How Long Should I Brush My Child’s Teeth?

When your little one only has a few teeth, cleaning them might not take too long. But once your toddler has a full set of baby teeth, it usually takes about two minutes to do a good job. Remember to clean both the front and back of each tooth, and don't forget to reach those back teeth. Using a timer can help make sure you brush long enough.

What Kind of Baby Toothpaste Should I Use, and How Much?

Grab a children's toothpaste that has fluoride—it helps prevent cavities. For kids under 3, just use a tiny smear, about the size of a grain of rice. When they're 3 or older, you can bump it up to a pea-sized amount. Always keep an eye on them while brushing, since swallowing too much fluoride can be harmful.

What Kind of Baby Toothbrush Should I Use?

Your supermarket or drugstore has lots of infant toothbrushes. You'll find baby, toddler, and child sizes. Pick a brush that's right for your baby's age, with soft bristles, a small head, and a long handle. Soft bristles are best because hard ones can scrape the gums, and bacteria can grow in these tiny scrapes. Replace your baby's toothbrush every three to six months, or sooner if it wears out.

Are All Babies This Squirmy and Wriggly When it Comes to Brushing?

Yep, some babies definitely resist the toothbrush, and brushing a squirmy baby's teeth can be a real challenge. Check out these tips and tricks to help your little one enjoy (or at least tolerate) having their teeth brushed. These baby teeth care strategies can make a world of difference!

Need a quick recap on all of this?Watch this short video:

When Can I Start to Teach My Child to Brush His Own Teeth?

Teaching your child to brush their own teeth is a process that starts early. In the beginning, introduce them to the feeling of having their mouth cleaned and explain why daily oral care is important. Gradually, let them handle the toothbrush and do simple tasks like putting toothpaste on it. While toddlers can start practicing brushing, parents will still need to step in for a thorough clean for a few more years.

When Can My Child Brush Unsupervised?

Most kids need some help to make sure they're doing a good job until they're about 7 or 8. By that age, they're often able to thoroughly clean their teeth and can take responsibility for making brushing part of their morning and bedtime routines. Of course, reminders to "brush your teeth" might still be needed.

How Do I Avoid My Child Getting a Rotten Tooth?

Baby tooth decay happens when leftover sugar sticks to the teeth. The sugar turns acidic and can break down the enamel. This sugar can come from leftover milk, formula, juice, or other food left in the mouth after eating.Here are some tips to help avoid cavities and ensure proper baby teeth care:

• Wipe your baby's gums after feeding. After you've nursed or given your baby a bottle, it's a good idea to wipe their gums as part of good oral care for newborns.

• Establish good brushing habits. Brush those teeth twice a day, and teach your child the importance of healthy oral hygiene habits. Starting early with newborn oral care sets the foundation for good dental health.

• Avoid giving sugary food and drinks. Keeping sugar intake low will help protect your baby's teeth and promote overall well-being, so try to avoid sweet foods, drinks, and snacks, especially before bedtime. Some gummy candies or fruit rolls are mostly sugar and can stick to the teeth all day.

• Serve calcium-rich foods. Calcium-rich foods help build strong teeth. So, in addition to milk, encourage your toddler to eat lots of cheese and yogurt.

• Avoid giving frequent snacks. The time between meals allows saliva to wash away the harmful bacteria.

• Avoid "bottle rot. " Baby bottle tooth decay, or "bottle rot," happens when a baby drinks frequently during the day from a bottle, or is put to bed with a bottle filled with formula, milk, juice, soft drinks, sugar water, or other sugary drinks. The bacteria in the mouth turns the natural or added sugars in these liquids into acid, which dissolves the outer layer of the teeth and causes decay, especially in the front upper teeth. To prevent it, avoid giving your child sugary drinks, or putting sugar on their pacifier, and never allow your child to fall asleep with a bottle. Saliva flow decreases during sleep, making any sugar more likely to cling to the teeth and cause damage.

• Treat signs of decay early. The first signs of tooth decay in babies are usually chalky, white areas on the teeth along the gum line. Early treatment can prevent the condition from getting worse, so be sure to visit a dentist for a cleaning and advice, and start to implement healthy baby teeth care habits.

Can Fluoride Prevent Tooth Decay?

Fluoride is an important mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and can help prevent tooth decay and cavities. Children should be drinking fluoridated water and brushing their teeth with fluoridated toothpaste. Across the United States, the kind and amount of fluoridation in tap water varies from region to region; don’t assume, however, that if your child drinks bottled water with fluoride, that's enough. Ask your dentist about whether additional fluoride supplements and fluoride rinses are required. As fluoride toothpaste can be harmful if swallowed in large amounts, use just a rice grain-sized smear for children under 3, and a pea-sized amount for children aged 3 to 6.

What Should I Do If My Child Injures a Tooth?

Some injuries don’t require an immediate visit to the dentist, but a tooth that’s completely knocked out may need urgent action so it can be re-implanted. Read more about the most common tooth injuries, and consult your dentist should an injury occur.

Baby Teeth Eventually Fall Out, So Why Is Dental Care So Important?

Even though your child will lose their first teeth, proper care for them—including fillings, coatings, and extraction of teeth that have died—is all part of ensuring that the teeth underneath and the jaw grow well and stay healthy.

How Often Should My Child Go to the Dentist?

Make that first dentist appointment when the first baby teeth appear or around your child's first birthday, whichever comes first. Then, from the time your child is 1 year old, they should be visiting the dentist twice a year to keep their teeth in top condition. Be ready for suggestions about care that weren’t options when you were a child.

How Long Can My Child Use a Pacifier?

The prolonged use of a pacifier, especially if your child sucks strongly, can result in damage to teeth and bite. Talk to your child's pediatrician or dentist if your child is still using a pacifier at age 2 to 4.

With good dental care at home and in the dentist's chair—as well as the right amount of fluoride—and knowing how to care for baby teeth and gums, your child should go through adulthood with a white, bright smile.For a quick recap on how to keep your child’s teeth cavity-free, check out this quick guide: