Most parents know they should look after their baby’s teeth, but it is not always clear when to start, what products to use, or how to make brushing a regular part of the day. Getting the basics right early can make a real difference to how a child’s dental health develops over time.
Good habits built during the first years of life tend to carry through as children grow. Knowing how to care for baby and toddler teeth from the start is one of the more practical things parents can do to support their child’s oral health.
Quick Overview
- Brushing baby teeth should begin as soon as the first tooth appears, which is typically around six months of age
- The type of toothbrush and amount of toothpaste used change depending on the child’s age, and not every product marketed for babies is appropriate for every stage
- How well the habit is established early on may influence how children respond to dental care as they get older
- Several factors beyond brushing, including diet and regular dental visits, also play a role in a baby’s dental health
- A dentist can advise on age-specific care if you are unsure what is right for your child
The sections below outline when and how to start brushing, what products suit each stage, and what else to keep in mind as your baby’s teeth come through.
When Should You Start Brushing Baby Teeth?
Brushing should begin as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears. This is typically around six months of age, though the timing varies between children. Starting to brush as soon as the first teeth appear, alongside limiting sugar in snacks, meals, and drinks, supports healthy development from early on.
Before any teeth have come through, you can wipe your baby’s gums with a clean, damp cloth after feeds. This helps to remove milk residue and begins building the routine of mouth cleaning.
Once the first tooth appears, introduce a small, soft-bristled baby toothbrush.
What Toothbrush and Toothpaste Should You Use?
Choose a toothbrush with a small head and very soft bristles designed for infants. The handle should be easy to hold, as you will be doing most of the brushing yourself for the first several years.
For toothpaste, the approach changes with age:
- Under 18 months: brush with water only, no toothpaste
- 18 months to five years: use a children’s low-fluoride toothpaste (400–550 ppm fluoride), a small pea-sized amount only
- Six years and over: children can move to a standard fluoride toothpaste
Babies do not need toothpaste until 18 months of age. From that point, a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste is appropriate, and children should be encouraged to spit it out rather than swallow it.
Supervise brushing until your child is around eight years old. Most children do not have the fine motor coordination to brush effectively on their own before this age.
How to Brush Baby Teeth Step by Step
Brushing a baby’s teeth does not require a complicated technique, but positioning and gentleness matter. Here is a practical approach:
- Find a comfortable position. Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you, or lay them on a change table with their head resting near your body. Some parents find it easier to sit on the floor with the baby’s head in their lap.
- Hold the toothbrush at a slight angle toward the gum line so the bristles reach where the tooth meets the gum.
- Brush gently in small circular motions, covering the front, back, and top of each tooth.
- Include the gum line. Plaque can build up here even with only a few teeth.
- Brush for around two minutes. With only a few teeth, this is easier than it sounds. As more teeth come through, maintaining the habit of a thorough clean becomes more important.
Brushing twice a day, morning and night, is the recommended routine for young children.
How Do You Make Brushing a Habit?
Establishing brushing as part of the daily routine early tends to make it easier as the child grows. A few things that may help:
- Start early and keep it consistent. Brushing at the same times each day, particularly before bed, helps it become a familiar part of the routine rather than a negotiation.
- Let your baby hold the toothbrush too. Allowing them to have a turn after you have brushed can help them feel involved, even if their technique is not yet effective.
- Brush alongside your child. Children often respond well to seeing family members brush their own teeth at the same time.
- Keep the experience calm. If brushing becomes associated with stress, it tends to be harder to maintain. Singing a short song or using a timer can make the two minutes pass more easily.
Not all children take to brushing straight away, and some resist more than others. Persistence and a calm approach tend to work better than rushing.
When Should You Bring Your Baby to the Dentist?
A first dental visit is generally recommended around the time of your baby’s first birthday, or when the first tooth appears. Early visits allow a dentist to check for any early signs of decay, advise on technique and toothpaste, and help your child become comfortable in a dental setting before any treatment is needed.
Regular dental check-ups from an early age help establish the habit of seeing a dentist as a normal and routine part of life. At MyHM Dentist, Dr Hiromi Matsuoka takes a gentle approach with young patients and welcomes families from the time of a child’s first tooth.
A Considered Approach to Children’s Dental Health at MyHM Dentist
Brushing baby teeth well and from the right time gives children a strong foundation for their oral health as they grow. The habits built in these early years tend to carry forward, and the earlier good routines are in place, the more natural they become.
At MyHM Dentist, Dr Hiromi Matsuoka takes time with each family to explain what is appropriate for their child’s stage of development and to answer any questions parents may have. If you would like guidance on caring for your baby’s teeth or would like to book a first dental visit, we welcome you to get in touch.
Contact MyHM Dentist today on (02) 9158 6379.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use adult toothpaste when brushing baby teeth?
Adult fluoride toothpaste is not recommended for children under six years. It contains a higher fluoride concentration than is appropriate for young children who are still developing the ability to spit consistently. Children’s low-fluoride toothpaste (400–550 ppm) is recommended from 18 months until around age six, when a dentist may advise transitioning to a standard fluoride toothpaste.
What if my baby resists or cries during brushing?
Some resistance is common, particularly in the early stages. Keeping the experience calm and brief helps, as does letting your baby hold a spare toothbrush while you brush. Making brushing a predictable part of the routine rather than an occasional event tends to reduce resistance over time. If your child consistently finds brushing distressing, your dentist can offer practical suggestions based on your child’s age and temperament.
References
Healthdirect Australia. (2025). ‘Looking after your baby or child’s teeth’. Healthdirect Australia, March. Sydney, NSW: Healthdirect Australia. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/looking-after-your-baby-or-childs-teeth
Australian Dental Association. (n.d.). ‘Baby and Toddler Oral Health’. Teeth.org.au. Sydney, NSW: Australian Dental Association. https://www.teeth.org.au/babies-and-toddlers
Better Health Channel. (n.d.). ‘Toothbrushing: children 0-6 years’. Better Health Channel. Melbourne, VIC: Victorian Government Department of Health. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/toothbrushing-children
