Tips for Brushing Baby & Toddler Teeth

Starting a daily oral health care routine with your little one is important but can also be a challenge. Toothbrushing is a new experience and can be a struggle for babies/toddlers and their parents to get the job done. 

We constantly get questions about brushing and how to help babies/toddlers learn to love brushing – here are some tips:

• Start oral health with your newborn – starting to wipe their gums with a damp washcloth after feedings will help your child become familiar with daily mouth cleanings, so by the time teeth start to erupt they will be ready to transition to a toothbrush!
• Pick a soft bristled toothbrush that is meant for your child’s age range. Toothbrushes are labeled with their intended age due to the size; if a toothbrush is too big for your little one’s mouth, it may be uncomfortable to brush! Toothbrushes also come in many different colors and with different characters – let your child pick which one they like to make picking up their toothbrush exciting!
• Choose a toothpaste flavor that your child will enjoy! Both fluoride and non-fluoride toothpastes come in many different flavors
• Take turns – let your child feel involved and let them take a turn brushing their teeth
• Sing a song! Singing/playing a familiar song or counting while brushing can help ease nerves and make brushing fun
• Try brushing with your child laying down – sometimes our little ones wiggle while brushing and we aren’t able to get a thorough brushing done. We recommend sitting on the ground with your child’s head in your lap and have another adult hold their hands for comfort or distract them with a song or toy
• Use resources like YouTube videos or books that discuss brushing and oral hygiene
• Let your child see siblings/parents brushing their teeth – making dental home care relatable will help little ones see they aren’t the only ones who need to get rid of the sugar bugs! 🙂

Have more questions about brushing your kiddos teeth? Ask one of our pediatric dentists at Bite Size Pediatric Dentistry in Frankfort, IL at your next visit!