Even a quick attempt at brushing is better than nothing, so your child starts to learn that brushing is a normal part of the daily routine. Diet and the way you feed your baby are also important. Babies aged months need only breastmilk or formula. Breastfed and formula-fed babies older than six months can also have small amounts of water.
Avoid giving your baby sugary drinks. Once you introduce solids, also avoid giving your baby foods high in sugar. This puts your baby at risk of tooth decay. Use a rice-grain-sized smear of toothpaste for your baby or toddler, graduating to a pea-sized dollop by age 3. Don't worry if your baby swallows some of the toothpaste as she almost certainly will.
In such a small quantity, it won't cause any damage. Starting in the second year, you can teach your toddler to spit after brushing. Your older baby or toddler will probably want to try her hand at brushing herself; let her give it a go if she has the dexterity and doesn't just get frustrated , but be sure to follow up with a more thorough cleaning of your own before bed.
To encourage her interest in brushing her teeth, try a fun brush with a favorite character and bright color. Also let her watch you take good care of your own teeth, so she learns that it's a habit to keep for life. Unfortunately, not every baby loves having her teeth cleaned — and when baby is teething and her gums are sore and tender, she might be especially resistant. Here's what to try if tooth-brushing time becomes a struggle:. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations.
Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.
This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition or as a substitute for the advice of a healthcare professional who is fully aware of and familiar with the specifics of your case.
Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with regard to any questions you may have relating to a medical condition or treatment.
The short answer is that they do. The short answer here is that you should not wait. This technique requires two adults and works as follows: The two adults should sit facing each other, with their knees touching. Make sure the child is in a stable position and cannot fall. Play some music while brushing. Turn on a fun song that lasts about two minutes, and let your child know that when the song is done, it will be time to rinse.
Alternatively, sing a song specifically related to tooth brushing. Some parents prefer to transition from a washcloth to a soft-bristled toothbrush, while others prefer to ease the transition by using silicone finger brushes for baby teeth. Once your child is ready for a baby toothbrush , there are plenty of options to start with. While silicone brushes are fun and comfortable for the gums, they are not as efficient as nylon-bristle brush at removing plaque from the teeth.
If your baby is laying down and his head is supported, it allows you to have one free hand to lift the lips and cheeks out of the way, while the other hand brushes the teeth. Be sure to get the front surfaces, as well as the hard-to-see back surfaces and grooves. Babies can get gingivitis just like adults, so be sure to brush along their gum line to lower their risk of bleeding gums and gum disease. Because babies are often squirmy, it may take two adults to get the job done— one adult to hold the baby, and the other whose job is to focus solely on brushing.
As your baby becomes more active and transitions into toddlerhood, convincing them to stay still long enough to brush their teeth is a challenge. Above all else, stay calm. The point of brushing at this age is to establish healthy habits.
As a parent, you set the tone for how your child will approach oral hygiene as they grow. From the first tooth to braces and everything in between, we love teaching parents and their children how to have a healthy mouth throughout their lifetime. Because Sprout is a pediatric practice, we have lots of ways to teach little ones how to relax at the dentist and to love brushing their teeth. And we love sharing those tips with parents because we know how essential it is.
When will your baby start teething? Here are some of the first signs of teething in babies and some tips on how to make your child more comfortable throughout the teething process.
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