When To Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth – Our Tips & Advice

When To Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth – Our Tips & Advice

If you’re a proud new parent, congratulations! There’s a lot you’ll learn about raising a child, and you probably have a lot of questions. And one of the most common questions that new parents have is “when should I start brushing my baby’s teeth?”

So in this guide from Kingstowne Dental Specialists, we’ll help you learn more about dental care for your baby, and ensure you can keep their newly-erupting teeth healthy and strong!

You Should Clean Your Child’s Mouth After Feeding – Even Before Their Teeth Emerge

First, it’s important to note that, even before your child’s first teeth come out, it’s a good idea to clean their gums after each feeding. This helps eliminate sugar and oral bacteria from their mouths, keeping your baby’s mouth healthy. Use a clean and damp piece of gauze or a clean cotton cloth to wipe down your child’s gums after they feed.

You Should Start Brushing Your Baby’s Teeth As Soon As Their First Tooth Comes Out

The answer may seem obvious, but as soon as your child’s teeth erupt, you need to start brushing them! Most kids get their first baby teeth between the age of 6-12 months, so this is when you’ll need to start brushing their teeth.

How To Brush Your Baby’s Teeth – Our Top Tips

If you’re a first-time parent, it can take some time getting used to the process of brushing your child’s teeth for them, so here are some helpful tips and strategies from Kingstowne Dental Specialists

• Use a soft-bristled brush with a large handle – “Baby toothbrushes” with small, soft tips and large, easy-to-maneuver handles are available at most stores, and make it easier to clean your child’s teeth.
  
  
• Switch toothbrushes regularly – You should switch to a new toothbrush every 2-4 months, or whenever your current brush looks like it’s wearing out. This helps prevent the buildup of oral bacteria, and ensures the toothbrush has maximum cleaning power.
  
  
• Brush after every feeding – This helps ensure your child’s teeth and gums remain healthy and free of sugar and bacteria.
  
  
• Use fluoride toothpaste – You should use a grain-of-rice-sized blob of fluoride toothpaste until your child knows how to spit out toothpaste on their own, usually around the age of 2. Then, you can switch to a blob about the size of a pea.
  ‍
• Sing a song to distract your little one – Some kids don’t love having their teeth brushed, but a little distraction, like humming or singing a song, can be enough to keep them in a good mood as you clean their teeth!

Need Help With Pediatric Dental Care? Contact Kingstowne Dental Specialists Today!

Did you know that the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that kids get their first dental appointment as soon as their first tooth emerges? It’s true! So if you’ve started brushing your baby’s teeth, this is also the perfect time to schedule their first dental appointment.

So don’t wait. Contact Kingstowne Dental Specialists online or give us a call at (703) 493-0622 to schedule your child’s first visit with Dr. Courtney Marzban, and ensure that your child’s mouth is healthy and developing properly.