Good oral hygiene habits start much earlier than many parents realise. Brushing your baby’s teeth is not just about maintaining a bright smile; it plays a crucial role in your child’s overall health, nutrition, speech development, and long-term dental wellbeing.
Many parents mistakenly believe that baby teeth are unimportant because they eventually fall out. However, neglecting early dental care can lead to cavities, pain, feeding difficulties, and even alignment issues in permanent teeth later in life.
This guide will help parents understand why caring for baby teeth is essential, when to start brushing, how to choose the right toothbrush and toothpaste, and practical tips to make toothbrushing a fun daily routine for your little one.
Why is caring for your baby’s teeth important?
It is a common misconception among parents that baby teeth are not that important, since they will eventually fall out and be replaced by adult permanent teeth, which will require more attention. In reality, baby teeth play a critical role in a child’s overall health and future oral hygiene, and if neglected, can have a long-lasting impact.
Here are some reasons why it is essential to take care of your baby’s teeth:
- Space for permanent teeth – Baby teeth act as placeholders for permanent teeth. Therefore, if they fall out too early, the remaining teeth may shift, causing alignment problems which may later require orthodontic treatment.
- Nutrition – They need their teeth to chew properly. Bad teeth will make eating painful, resulting in poor nutrition.
- Speech development – Baby teeth will help with proper pronunciation. If they lose teeth prematurely, it may affect how they sound words, requiring speech therapy later on.
- Boost self-confidence – Good teeth will create confident smiles. If not, as they grow older, painful and missing teeth may cause them embarrassment and anxiety when interacting with peers.
When to Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth?
As soon as your baby’s first tooth appears, which is around 7 to 8months of age, it’s time to start brushing.
Some specialists encourage cleaning the gums with a damp washcloth just a few days after birth. This way, by the time his first tooth comes in, he’ll be ready with a routine.
Which Toothbrush to Use?
- Choose a soft-bristle baby toothbrush which has no more than 3 rows of bristles. If you have any doubts about which toothbrush to choose, you can always visit a paediatric dentist or a pharmacist.
- Toss away any brush that is more than 2 to 3 months old or that has become rough around the edges, because they can have bacteria building up within.
- An electric toothbrush can also be used carefully after reading the instructions.
- At first, a rubber or silicon finger brush can be used instead, as it will be more convenient for the 2 or 3 teeth that appear first.
What Toothpaste to Use?
Use a tiny smear for babies and toddlers up to 3years and a pea-sized amount for kids between 3 to 6 years.
The American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry recommends using cavity-preventing fluoride toothpaste as soon as your baby’s first tooth appears.
Tooth Brushing Tips:
- First, give the toddler the brush and allow them to examine it.
- Then teach and allow them to brush on their own.
- Next, you can assist them and brush their teeth by yourself, to make sure that all surfaces are covered.
- The easiest position is to sit them on your lap with their head resting against your chest.
- Brush teeth gently in small circles, covering all surfaces.
- Brush along the inside surfaces and outside surfaces.
- Brush back and forth over the chewing surfaces.
- Preferred toothbrushing time in guidelines is around 2 minutes.
- Brush twice a day, at night before bed and preferably in the morning.
- Encourage your child to spit the toothpaste afterwards.
- No need to rinse the mouth with water, as it will wash away the fluoride. The fluoride that remains in the baby’s mouth will further protect their teeth.
Here’s a short YouTube video on how to brush your toddler’s teeth:
Teaching your child to brush
- With age, increase the part they play in toothbrushing – let them do it by themself.
- By 2 to 3 years of age, let them have a go first before you follow up
Help them to brush until you are certain that they can manage well by themselves. This is usually at 7 to 8 years of age, when they develop fine motor skills necessary for tooth brushing. However, supervision may be needed past this point to ensure that they are doing a good job brushing their teeth.
How to make toothbrushing fun?
Not all children enjoy brushing their teeth. For most parents, this is a daily battle, which the child runs away from.
Here are some tips to make it enjoyable:
- Sing a toothbrushing song or play one.
- Play a children’s tooth brushing video.
- As toddlers like to copy things, ask another family member to brush their teeth with them.
- Read dental-themed storybooks, which can help them with toothbrushing.
- Let your child pick a toothbrush that he or she loves, with a favourite colour or picture.
- Try 2 toothbrushes, one for them to hold and the other for you to brush. That way, you can take turns to brush their teeth.
- If your child dislikes the taste of toothpaste at first, brush using just water and later introduce small amounts of toothpaste gradually.
- If your child doesn’t like to brush in the bathroom, try someplace else.
- Tell silly stories while you brush to make things fun.
When to Visit the Dentist?
It is recommended to have an oral health check-up by the time your toddler turns 2. It can be a dental professional, a child health nurse, or a doctor. According to their advice, your child may need to have regular check-ups.
Results of neglecting baby teeth
- Tooth decay (cavities)
- Pain and discomfort
- Infections and abscesses
- Speech and eating problems
- Misalignment of permanent teeth
- Higher risk of tooth decay in adults
Brushing your baby’s teeth is one of the simplest yet most impactful habits you can build from an early age. Healthy baby teeth support proper eating, clear speech, confident smiles, and set the foundation for strong permanent teeth in the future.
By starting toothbrushing as soon as the first tooth appears, choosing age-appropriate dental products, and turning brushing into an enjoyable routine, parents can prevent many common dental problems before they begin. Regular dental check-ups and consistent daily care ensure your child grows up with healthy oral habits that last a lifetime.
Remember, protecting baby teeth today means fewer dental issues tomorrow and a happier, healthier child overall.
